Why can't you ever just do what you're
told, you stupid?
[music]
>> Officer Fernandez with Farmington Police
Department. How are you? You okay?
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. You need a hug? Okay. You upset?
>> Because my dad hurt me.
>> Okay. Where did Where did he hit you?
>> He pushed me.
>> Did it frustrate you so much right here
that you pushed him into this chair?
>> No, I lifted up off of his shirt and he
slammed forward. So if I did, it wasn't
intentional.
>> Many welfare checks are routine and end
without incident. But what happens when
officers uncover children trapped inside
their parents' house of horror.
>> They said that they don't even know why
they got involved cuz they they all have
lead poisoning. Their lead poisoning is
like really bad. And they were at the
hospital today.
>> They all three kids got blood work done
and it she got a thing in the mail that
she had to call the health department.
Oh my god. I know.
>> And this is why I honestly cannot.
Exactly. This is what I'm talking about.
>> There's on the floor.
>> No, I'm coming down. I don't need to see
any light.
>> Yes.
>> For what?
>> The state of the living.
>> There were moments when cops surprised
horrible parents in their house [music]
of horror. We start with a case where a
father let the stress of everyday life
turn into cruel harm against his own
child. On January 17th, 2024, officers
in San Juan received a report from a
local school after a staff member
reported that one of the children might
be suffering verbal and physical
mistreatment from his father. Yeah, we
just had a report
guarding um that the child meets
reported to school staff that the dad
was angry a lot in need of him. He
wanted to live with his mom. Reported
that multiple incidents of death pushing
him to the ground. Um reported that he
got scared um that night and his dad
ended up pushing him to the ground
again. They have been I guess gave them
groceries cuz the dad has been having a
hard time and then dad got mad at him
again. He didn't have any marks or
bruisings according to the school, but
um he reported that dad him in the face
and he made a fist. He reported that dad
has kicked him. He was asked about if he
understood his private area and he said
yes and that's where dad had kicked him.
Um calls him names. Dad has him before.
He said calls him stupid. Get out of my
house. Calls me um [ __ ] Calls me f
word. Gives me the middle finger. And it
was reported by a teacher.
>> Yeah, but it's anonymous, but it's
reported to school staff, it says. So
>> So the kid reported it to the school
yesterday, but then they just sent you
guys like a
>> like an email of it or like
>> It's a It's a They made a report.
>> So they didn't contact law enforcement?
>> No.
>> So then they just let the kid go home
with his dad?
>> Yeah.
>> After saying all that?
>> Yeah.
>> Um and there's no record of mom at all?
No, it doesn't say anything. It just
gives the dad's father,
>> okay,
>> as a reference, but that's it.
>> Hopefully, he's here with the kid. Um, I
did find a grandpa in um on the kid's
power school so I can give you that
information if you need it.
>> With a clearer understanding of the
report, officers headed towards the
residence. However, when officers
arrived at the residence, they heard a
disturbing and aggressive scene even
before making contact. It quickly became
clear that something was seriously wrong
inside the home.
>> God [screaming]
damn it. Why can't you ever just do what
you're told, you stupid?
>> Officer Fernandez of Farmington Police
Department.
>> Hi.
>> Hello. How are you? Can we talk to you
outside?
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Okay. So, we can hear that you're pretty
upset. Okay. Um, so we're just going to
talk to you about some stuff that's
going on, okay,
>> with your son?
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> How do you say your name? Uh, I go by
Athena.
>> Athena. Okay.
>> Okay. How do you say his name?
>> Aragorn.
>> Aragorn. Okay. Where is he at inside the
house? Cuz I need
>> this room. I just put him in this room
for a timeout because I'm trying to walk
away.
>> Okay. Do I have your permission to go
make sure that he's okay real quick?
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay.
>> After receiving the father's
authorization to enter, officers were
met with a scene of chaos. Inside the
child's bedroom, the fear was
unmistakable. The child appeared tense
and distrustful, as if bracing for what
might come next. Hi.
How are you? You okay?
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. You need a hug? Okay. You upset
>> because my dad hurt me.
>> Okay. Where did Where did he put you?
>> He pushed me in front of me and that's
what he did
>> just now. Okay. Can I see like your
hands and stuff to make sure you don't
have any boo boos or nothing?
>> Okay. You want to pull up your sleeve
for me so I can see your arms? You look
a little bit red on your arms right
here. What happened? See that right
there? What happened? You know,
>> dad just pushed me.
>> He pushed you. What about these ones?
Was that from the same thing?
>> Okay. You got some red stuff. Did you
Did Where did you Was it your back or
was it up here?
>> It was up here.
>> It was up here. All right. And that's
where you What did it hit your face at
all? Okay. What side? This one.
>> That side. All right. How old are you?
Airborne. You're six. Can I Hey, let me
see the back of Can I see the back of
your neck real quick?
>> You can play with your toys. I just want
to look at the back of your neck. Okay.
>> My dad. This is really easy.
>> You got any boo you got any boo boos on
your legs? [snorts]
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. That one?
>> Yep.
>> Okay.
>> I was shooting the other one.
>> What happened with those? Do you
remember what happened to your knees?
>> Yeah.
>> What happened?
>> Look at this.
>> Oh my goodness. What happened?
>> Michael pushed me.
>> Who's Michael?
>> Michael's just like my brother.
>> Your brother?
>> Yeah.
>> Does anybody
>> He really swatched me right there very
hard.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. That's why I start cry.
>> Okay.
>> I was a very long time.
>> How old is Michael?
>> Uh, eight.
>> He's eight. And he's your he's your
brother?
>> Yeah. Who else lives here with you?
>> Um, my dad.
>> Just your dad. Nobody else?
>> Yeah, but grandpa and Michael just
Michael just come and grandpa.
>> According to the responding officer, the
situation immediately raised concerns.
The child's account combined with
visible bruising pointed toward possible
mistreatment. During a seemingly calm
conversation with the father,
investigators began to sense that the
situation was far more complex than it
first appeared.
>> The only kind of that's happened before
is been spanked. As far as any kicking
and stuff like that, um I have some
aggression at times where I'll break
personal items, but um never anything
that goes on to him. I do yell. Um you
know, it's single parent.
There's times where in the mornings um
he just doesn't he doesn't want to
listen to me and so he throws tantrums
and I'm trying to get him ready for
school and I can't get to work on time
and I can't do the things I need to do
to provide for him and so it perpetuates
and that anger just builds up and I
don't know what to do because I don't
have a support system
and I'm transitioning and I don't have a
support system for that and I just I
don't know what I'm supposed to do
[snorts] when I get frustrated cuz it's
like just now I was trying to walk away
and he keeps grabbing me and pulling me
away and trying to like me and stuff and
so I keep trying to push him away and
finally I just pushed him away a little
harder and he fell and I don't you know
I don't know what to do in those
situations like I don't want to hurt him
I don't want to touch him but if he's
grabbing onto me when I'm trying to walk
away and I'm frustrated
what am I supposed to do and I've got
him in counseling with I've got in
family counseling we're going to Judy
Beck and there's been times times where
we've talked about things and we've been
trying to work through it. So, I'm
trying to go through the motions to get
to a point where it's not bad for him at
home, but I, you know, I don't I'm just
lost. I don't, you know, I don't know
what resources there even is for single
parents to, you know,
>> as the discussion continued, officers
began to realize that the father
struggled to manage family conflict
related to the separation. While Athena
appeared unable to cope with the
situation, together, their actions
contributed to an environment of
constant stress.
>> Where's his mom? She's in South
Carolina.
>> Does he have any contact with her?
>> She's supposed to video chat with him
once a week, but it's more like once
every two weeks if we're lucky. And I've
talked to her about trying to be more
involved and trying to contact him more
often. And she says that she will be,
but she doesn't. And she left suddenly.
She just left during CO. She said that
she was going to go live with her mom.
We had 50/50 custody and he was doing
great during that time. He was thriving.
>> Um when she left, it was put all on me.
So, what we're going to do is just kind
of, you know, um I'm going to go and
talk to him as well. And then we can
also offer resources to you to kind of
support. We have family support services
that can also come in through the home
and help you out. I know they do. It's
through Desert View. Have you gone
through them?
>> I haven't gone through Desert View
before. um when I first was 50/50
custody with um his mom. He was in it
was a special um needs program and stuff
and they came and visited with us before
you know and he was thriving during that
time. I was doing okay because I had
someone else who could help you know
help me on that and so I was doing a lot
better. There wasn't any yelling ever or
anything like that.
>> As the conversation unfolded, small but
troubling details emerged. statements
the father had described as harmless
habits took on a more serious meaning to
counselors and officers.
>> I forgot uh Roundtree, that's what
they're called. Okay.
>> Round tree. Yeah. So, I was with them
for a long time. Okay.
>> And then um when he got older, they said
that they could continue service with
him, but they didn't see need to at that
time.
>> Okay. Does he have any developmental
disabilities?
>> No, I don't know. I mean, um, his, uh,
school counselor is, um, said maybe to
see if he's high functioning autistic,
but there's no [snorts]
>> huge signs of that.
>> Okay. How do you discipline?
>> Generally, I usually try to put him in a
timeout, but lately he's just been
disobedient and stuff like that. So, I
usually just get frustrated. I'll take
away toys and TV and stuff, but
>> and he just tries to escalate the
situation. He'll call me names. He'll
try to hit me. I'll tell him that's not
appreciated. I'll put him in timeout and
then eventually he just escalates to a
point where I don't really do it too
often, but sometimes I'll spank him and
it's not harder than, you know, it's
enough to maybe make him go like this,
but it's about like that.
>> Okay.
>> And it's and he's usually I wouldn't say
fine after that, but he's he's
frustrated and then he tells me I'm mean
and then usually I can walk away at that
point, but otherwise he'll just scream
and cry for hours.
>> Oh, okay. How many times do you usually
stink?
>> Maybe twice a week. It's not often.
>> Like at the time?
>> Oh, just once.
>> Yeah, just once.
>> And then with your hand belt or
>> just hit my hand.
>> Okay. You're on Medicaid?
>> No, I Well, I was before. He should
still be I I had insurance through
alert, but now
Okay. Any substance use?
>> Um, I smoke.
>> How frequently do you use?
>> Um, once a day. When was your last use?
>> Last night.
>> Okay. Is that around your son or is it?
>> No, it's usually after he goes to bed.
Okay.
>> Coming up, officers spoke privately with
the young boy. What initially seemed
like a simple conversation [music] soon
turned into detailed accounts,
suggesting these incidents were frequent
in his daily life and revealing
information that had not been mentioned
before.
>> So, we need to put him on a 48 hour
hold.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Um, with everything he just told me. I
don't know if he showed you his
>> Okay. You want to Hey, remember what we
were talking about earlier?
>> Yeah.
>> Like what happened right here and on the
other side? Your boo boos.
>> That's from my dad.
>> They're from your dad.
>> And that's the blood came out of my
nose.
>> What was that?
>> That's the blood came out of my nose.
>> Blood came out of your nose and it was
there.
>> Dad.
>> Okay.
>> And there's some in my bathroom.
>> I can hear. Let's just talk quiet. Okay.
>> Where's my dad? He's downstairs talking
to somebody else. Okay. Okay.
>> So, we just got to make sure that you're
okay. This is Eric Gorn and he's 6 years
old. The bruises on his face, he's got
one right here on his right side that
kind of looks like a line.
>> Okay.
>> It's It kind of looks new to me. On the
other side is a little bit bigger. It's
like right next to his mouth. Kind of
the size of the quarter.
>> So, I don't know if there's any internal
things going on. We are going to put him
on a 48 hour hold and
>> Okay.
>> I'm going to try to transfer transport
the dad to detective. So,
>> okay. Where is parent?
>> Dad is downstairs, but dad goes by
Athena.
>> Oh, that was in the purple.
>> Yes.
>> With each detail, officers began to
understand that the injuries described
by the child were likely genuine and
that they may have been caused by
Athena, the father. Athena remained
largely unresponsive as his child spoke.
His silence was telling and the weight
of what could follow settled heavily in
the room.
>> So there is some bruising and stuff on
Aragorn. Okay.
>> Yeah. So there's there's a few and
there's some scratches and some redness
on him. So we are going to we have no
choice but to put a 48 hour hold on him
because he has bruising and stuff like
that.
>> So what does that mean? So, what that
means is he's going to be transported by
medics to the hospital and he's going to
get evaluated for the injuries that he
does have. He is making some statements
about how he got those things. Okay? So,
that's something law enforcement has to
investigate. And with that being said,
we can't have you in contact with him
until everything's done being
investigated. Okay. his counselor. Is
she going to be allowed to be involved
in in such
>> his school counselor or
>> his medical counselor?
>> His medical counselor Judy Beck.
>> Judy Beck.
>> And she's my personal counselor as well.
>> She's been working with us.
>> Okay. So, my biggest question right now
is are you willing to go with us to the
detectives to talk about what's going on
just because it's a more formal sit down
place or are you
>> am I going to be appointed an attorney?
If if you want an attorney, that's 100%
you're right and you can have one.
>> I mean, and if I choose not to go down
to the detectives with you guys, I'm
just trying to get a full
>> talk here if you want.
>> Yeah, we we we can talk here, but if you
want an attorney, you always can have an
attorney present.
>> Um, yeah, I would like to talk here and
I would potentially like some kind of
attorney. That's an option.
>> We're in America, right? We all have
rights. So, you have the right to remain
silent. Obviously, if if you want an
attorney, we can facilitate that if
that's something that you would like.
Um, if not, if you're open to answering
questions here, I can sit down with you
and we can have a chat.
>> Yeah, I mean,
>> okay, let me sit down. Let me sit down.
>> Officers began to realize that the
injuries described by the child were
likely genuine and that they may have
been caused by Athena, the father. As
this understanding set in, Athena showed
little reaction to what his own child
had just revealed.
>> What happened?
This morning he had woken up and it was
a pretty normal morning [snorts] and um
I went to go get him dressed and I asked
him to turn off the TV and it was time
to get ready to go and he said no. I
waited a few minutes. I asked him again.
He said no and this time I turned off
the TV and [snorts] I could tell he was
frustrated so I walked away. I let him
be upset and then I came back. I was
like, "All right, let's get dressed." He
told me no. And I said, "Okay, well then
I'm going to be the one that gets you
dressed then cuz I need you to go to
school."
>> Yeah.
>> And he said no. And then he started
fighting and all this. So I sat down on
the chair and I was trying to take off
his shirt and he was flinging himself
around and he swung himself in the chair
and he hit himself on the cheek and then
he started crying and screaming and then
[snorts] I didn't know what to do to get
him to calm down cuz he didn't I tried
to hug him. He didn't want that. I tried
to say I'm sorry. He didn't want that.
And then I tried to walk away and that
was pretty much it. We just won't go to
school today and I've been jobless. So,
I've been trying to put job applications
out. So, I was frustrated because I
can't go and do that cuz I'm worried
about taking care of them. And so, we've
just been hanging out all day. We played
with Legos. We had a Nerf war. I took a
break. I was just on the computer just
doing some job stuff. And came [snorts]
in my room. And he had asked me for a
snack and he said, "Sure, give me just a
second." And then he started calling me
names and stuff. I was like, "You're not
going to have a snack if you're going to
be mean to me. You know, you're just
going to end up in timeout." He just
kept being rude. And I said, "Please
stop." And he said, "No." So I was like,
"All right, fine. You're going to go to
your room." And so I went to go pick him
up. And then he dropped his body to the
floor and was dragging his body against
the floor when I still had his arm in my
hand. So I let go. And then he got all
upset. So I tried to pick him up by the
body and then place him in his room. And
that's when he kept pulling on me and
kept pulling on me. And I was like I I
even sent him I was like, "Let me walk
away."
>> You know,
>> the narrative shifted when Athena
explained his version of events. His
account appeared sincere and his tone
suggested honesty. However, during what
seemed like a simple emotional outburst,
he unintentionally [music]
revealed something crucial. He was no
longer emotionally capable of caring for
the child.
>> He turns himself and he slams his head,
but he himself right on here.
>> Okay, that's pretty
>> pretty hard. And so I didn't know what
he was upset about at first. I was like,
"Why are you so upset?" And he's like,
"You hurt me." I was like, "I didn't
hurt you. You hit the pillow." And then
he's like, "No, you hit me right here."
>> Okay. Is that where these peas came
from? Was that just like an ice pack or
something?
>> That was an ice pack. Yes. Cuz
afterwards I saw it was red. So I asked
him, I was like, "Do you want to put
something on your face to make it feel
better?"
>> Mhm.
>> And he said yes. And I was like, "It
should make it go away eventually."
>> When we first walked up to the door,
there's some pretty choice words that
were used. And I mean, I get it. Um I
have kids. I get frustrated. I I say I
say I say that kind of stuff. It It
sounded pretty aggressive, though.
Everything piling the way the way it
sounds.
>> Being able to go to counseling. I mean,
And I don't want to cuz this sounds like
bad, right? But my job [snorts] had
asked me to violate the law. And so I
told him I quit. And now I don't have
any way to take care of myself or him. I
can't go to counseling anymore. I can't
like I have nothing that I could do to
take care of myself. And [snorts] I
don't know how I'm supposed to be able
to help him when I can't even help
myself.
>> And so I try really hard to just walk
away from situations and stuff.
>> We were wondering if we could um have
grandpa. He can.
>> Okay. Um, my dad's phone number.
>> Bye, kiddo. I love you.
>> As the discussion continued, officers
began to recognize that a lack of family
stability may have played a significant
role in the child's living conditions.
What stood out, however, was the
father's sudden emotional collapse when
faced with the possibility of arrest.
Moments earlier, there had been no
visible restraint when it came to
verbally and physically mistreating his
own child. The contrast was striking.
Emotions surfaced only when consequences
became real. You guys were arguing a
little bit this morning about him not
wanting to go to school. You said you
were walking towards the garage. The
chair tripped you up and you just later
broke it.
>> I I broke it in the same I tripped on it
and I was because I was so frustrated
and then I tripped on it. I was mad cuz
I it was in the way and I didn't see it.
So then I got mad and I kicked it and it
broke and then I just stomped on it
afterwards to get it out of and break it
the rest of the way.
>> At this point, investigators understood
that Athena's emotional struggles could
no longer be dismissed. His instability
had likely contributed to actions that
put his child at risk, opening the door
to serious legal consequences that were
now unfolding.
>> Do you feel sorry at all? Is that is
that why
>> like before you guys
>> when when he hit the couch? Was that on
purpose and then you felt sorry and
grabbed the peas, put them on his face?
>> I did feel sorry and I did go grab them
and I put them on his face. I was like,
"Okay, let's try to get that swelling
down because I don't want you to be like
having a hard time chewing
>> or made fun of." So, in the past couple
days, have there been times where you
felt that you were so frustrated and
that your spanking was overboard or your
punishment was overboard?
>> Today was the first time I've spanked
him in in weeks. And I mean, usually my
punishments are, you know, no TV or
video games and that's usually pretty
soft cuz I feel bad like I don't know
what good punishments there are. So, the
worst that I do is is I get frustrated
and yell and I always feel bad about
that. But you don't feel like you've
gone overboard recently or as of late.
>> I've I've definitely like on the verbal
side where I've been upset where I've
just, you know, gone through and had
kind of my own tantrum cuz I have CPTSD.
>> Mhm.
>> You know, so like it's just sometimes
it's uncontrollable,
you know, and I just get frustrated and
I'll just walk back and forth down the
halls and try to vent out. So I'll yell
and he hears that, but it's never
directly at him. I do yell though, so
it's not like and he thinks it's about
he thinks it's at him. It's like I'll
say something like why can't you just
listen to me or you know like I wish you
would just do what I'm telling you to
do. Um you're making these you know like
things like that or like god I'm just so
frustrated with you right now. I wish I
could just take a break.
>> So and then help me clarify something
because this is a picture that I had
painted in my mind. I was about to kick
down the door, right? I hear some some
words and then I hear you stupid. But in
my in my head, I'm seeing you very
frustrated and then him potentially
being injured or hurt.
>> He was upstairs in his room. He was
upstairs in his room and that's when I
had walked straight to the door. I had
been sitting here for a second and I
looked at the time and I real I was
like, "Dude, uh it's 12:00 in the day."
You know, I mean, now it is, but you
know, it's 11:00 in the morning. I
haven't done anything with my day.
>> Mhm. And so I was frustrated about that
because I was reminded just how the
whole day went. I was sitting right here
the whole time when you guys knocked on
the door. I mean, I was 5 seconds away,
you know, like I I answered immediately.
So I was down here, he was upstairs in
his room.
>> Okay. Do you think he might explain
something differently um as far as like
the incidents today?
>> I don't think so. I mean, it's hard to
say what words he would use, but I'm
pretty sure you would get almost the
same general story. Okay.
>> As the investigation continued, officers
carefully examined the details provided
by Athena's son. Their questioning
wasn't meant to accuse, but to determine
whether the child's account was
consistent or if there were signs of
fabrication. Yet, as the conversation
unfolded, his trembling voice and
visible nervousness told a different
story. Then, one carefully chosen
question shifted the tone of the room.
>> So, Aragorn told me that you had thrown
him up against the wall and that's how
he got a scratch on his chest. I've
never done that. Never done anything
like that.
>> So, is there
>> I'll walk through the whole story as
many times as I have to, but I've never
touched him in that aspect.
>> Why would he feel the need to tell a
police cuz usually police officers make
kids feel safe, right?
>> Right. No, I've picked him up like, you
know, like how I usually pick him up is
underneath by the arms and stuff like
that. and I' and he was facing me, but
I've never pushed him against the like
thrown him against the wall or anything
like that. Like it's some kind of like
movie investigation or anything like
that.
>> So he said that um in his room that
[music]
when I was up there earlier,
um he said that you gave him a nose
bleed the other day and that the blood
that there is blood on his bed is from
you is what he said. and he had a nose
bleed in the middle of the night and it
was on his bed and he woke me up and I
didn't know what was going on at first
cuz he said my nose hurts and I was like
what's going on? He had already gotten
up and wiped it but yeah I had a dry
nose and it was in the middle of the
night.
>> Do you feel like um you don't want them
in your life anymore?
>> No. That it would help you through your
transition that it'll help you through
your frustrations get better without him
and then once you're better you want
them back?
>> No. I want to have the the partnership
that my ex-wife and I agreed on. I want
to have like I want to be involved in
every step of his life, but I can't do
it on my own. I need somebody who's like
a parental figure to be able to take on
that that role.
>> So, you don't feel like a parental
figure.
>> Well, I mean, I do feel like a parental
figure, but I need somebody else, like a
partnership in some some way. Like, I
don't have to have like a significant
other, but like I've talked to his
mother. I've asked her, I've begged her
to move back. I was like, "Please, like,
I need your help to raise him. You know,
he needs his mom." I've said that when
we got divorced in court that I said
that he needs both of his parents in his
life.
>> And when she left, she gave me the
option to either not have him at all in
my life or take him full-time. And it's
like, what are you going to do in that
situation? He's my son. Of course, I
want to see him every day. Yeah.
>> So, it's like I've I was pushed into
either having him fulltime or not at
all.
>> Yeah. But as of late, do you feel like
you don't want him right now? I
>> like you want to not push him off to
somebody, but you you need your own
time, right?
>> I just want somebody who's able to take
him half the time. I want to be able to
be a supportive parent and involved in
his life, but I don't know if I have the
ability to do that every day. You know,
I'm I mean, you know, I have like like I
said, there's all this stuff going on. I
just, you know, I don't know what that
is. Like I don't have other friends
really who have kids. you know, it's not
like if that was the case, you know,
it's like maybe, you know, they could go
hang out together for the day and, you
know, I can do the same for them or
something, but I just don't really have
that option. So, it's just I do need a
break of some kind, but I don't want
like a long extended break away from
him. I love them. I love I mean, I love
playing Nerf Wars with him. I love
playing Legos with him. Like, I love all
of that.
>> Athena's emotional outburst caught the
officer's attention. Gradually, it
became clear that the lack of stability
in Argo's life was influencing far more
than anyone had expected, including the
decisions made by the very person who
was supposed to protect him.
>> Like, you know, it's when I was working,
it's like by the time I get off and go
pick him up, it's like 5:15. I have to
call him home and make dinner and all of
that. And then by the time I'm done
making dinner and we eat and I get him
in in a bath and stuff like that, it's
bedtime. And then [snorts] I have to go
to bed an hour later. I'm living to just
keep living, you know, and I'm trying to
take care of him because he's everything
to me, but I can't even really take care
of myself right now and I don't know
what else to do.
>> Mhm.
>> In New Mexico, we're pretty [snorts]
proactive with keeping families
together. Um, usually they want to see
families stay together, but honesty goes
a long way. Um, in order for us to help
you, there's a bunch of services that we
can provide you. If you work with CYFD,
they can get you through parenting
plans. They can get you services, maybe
put him in some clubs or some youth
clubs to help him and aid him, right?
But you're going through a lot and it
sucks. You got this ball of
vile up inside of you, but I need
honesty.
>> I'm being as honest as I can.
>> In the moments that followed, an officer
carefully asked whether there had ever
been a time where things had gone too
far. When Athena spoke, his words blew
the case wide open, showing that his
earlier claims carried little, if any,
credibility. if it went overboard
[snorts] and when because if he's saying
that it went overboard and he's telling
us and he's going to tell multiple
people. He's telling his school that it
[snorts] went overboard.
>> The only time I've been overboard is
trying to get him dressed. I'm trying to
pull his clothes off of him and it's
shaking him, but I don't. That's it.
That's the only time today where it was
really overboard.
>> Did it frustrate you so much right here
that you pushed him into this chair?
>> No. I lifted up off of his shirt and he
slammed forward. So if I did, it wasn't
intentional, but I don't think I was
going like
>> Is this the shirt right here or was
>> No. Um but I was trying to put on his
shirt. So I guess Yeah, you're right.
No, I realize that now putting on his
shirt, it probably pushed him down like
that.
>> So now you rather than taking off your
shirt his shirt, you're putting it on.
>> Yes. I'm sorry.
>> And it's okay. It's okay. [snorts]
We're we're going to willing to work
with you. That's what we're here for.
I'm sorry. I'm nervous and I'm trying to
We're coming with you. I really am.
>> Like what? Show me.
>> Probably pushing pushing down on his
shirt.
>> Did you do that intentionally?
>> No, I was just trying to get it on his
arms fast because usually what he does
when I'm trying to get him dressed in
moments where he has been frustrated
with that is he'll start like pulling
off his sleeve on his own if I can't get
over his head. So, I tried to pull it
over his head and just pulled it down as
fast as I could.
>> Were you Were you pissed off at that
time?
>> Yeah, I was upset. a detective is on his
way here right now to come and talk to
you and he's going to kind of let you
know what's going on a little bit more.
So, if you could for me just grab your
phone, maybe like [clears throat] a
jacket, and we can go talk outside real
quick. So, what's going to happen is
we're going to do a search warrant on
the house.
>> As officers informed her that an
investigation would move inside the
home, the weight of the situation became
clear. Athena appeared shocked by how
far things had gone.
>> Before I get searched, can I have an
attorney?
>> It's a It's a search warrant of your
house. We have to apply for it through a
judge.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, you you can call you can call your
attorney. Yeah, definitely.
>> Well, I I need one appointed to me, but
I would I would appreciate that for a
search. Just I want to
>> So, the the search we go through the
judge that that'll be explained
differently.
>> Um that's granted to us and we have to
determine if it's granted. But in the
meantime, what we do is we hold the
house, right? um for an ex whatever
amount of time without anybody in it. We
secure it and we stay here and nobody
else can enter or remain. Um and if the
judge grants us the search warrant, then
we are lawfully allowed to search it.
>> Um if we're not granted, then we just
give you back the residence. That that's
how that works.
>> Okay. So, I can't talk to my attorney
before
>> you can you can
>> before the search.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But that's all I'm asking.
They can't stop it. It's up to a judge.
asking them to stop it. I just want to
be able to speak with an attorney
beforehand.
>> And if if you need one appointed you,
you're going to potentially have to call
the public defenders office right now.
And you can type in Sanongan County
public defenders office
>> um and see what they need to do in order
to appoint you one right now. I'm not
sure. I think there's an application
process. It since you're unemployed, I
think you um will qualify for it cuz
there's an application process for that.
>> Where do I go when it's being searched?
That's
>> So the thing is is I'm just going to
have you stand up. Okay. Can you stand
up for me? So right now you're just
being detained, right? Um you're under
arrest right now. Okay. So for child for
right now, okay, because we believe that
there's probable cause to believe that
there is child going on. So I'm going to
be transporting you up to the jail.
>> Athena seemed unable to grasp what was
unfolding. Her shock made it clear that
she hadn't fully understood the impact
her actions had on her own child. I've
never been in this situation before,
which is why I was asking the questions
that I was. Okay. I don't feel like that
should mean that I get detained.
>> Okay. So, we have enough probable cause
to believe that child abuse is occurring
and that has occurred over the past
couple days, if not more than that. So,
we have probable cause to believe that a
crime has been committed.
>> The option to go outside.
>> Well, I was going to detain you in
handcuffs anyway and arrest you.
>> Yes.
>> Got it. Okay. So, that's what I was
asking with that. So, that's perfectly
fine. I just wanted to make sure I
wasn't being lied to.
>> No, I'm not. I'm not.
>> I was giving given the option of the
situation. [music] No.
>> So, um, when do I get my one phone call?
>> Yes. You'll get a lot at the jail.
>> In the end, Athena had to give custody
of his child to his grandfather due to
allegations of abuse and maltreatment.
In the next case, what should have been
dangerous on the streets instead [music]
moved inside the home when these parents
chose to point a firearm at their own
children.
>> But has she done anything with the gun?
You said that she put it up to her head
in front of you. I said, "Does someone
make you feel unsafe in the house?"
>> Huh?
>> Sorry.
I don't know.
>> On August 12th, 2024, officers were
dispatched to a residence after a social
worker reported that a couple's children
had not attended school for over a week.
What officers encountered would reveal a
troubling pattern of failure to provide
proper care by the parents, Miranda, and
Dustin, who were responsible for three
young [music] children.
>> Hi.
How you doing?
>> Scary.
>> You scared me?
>> Did I? I'm sorry. You live over here.
Mommy, daddy home.
>> How you doing, boss? Pretty good.
>> Hi there.
>> Um, we got a call saying kids haven't
been to school in a while. Uh we've been
having issues getting them enrolled and
uh my husband just has to finish going
up there. Uh
are you on today?
>> What?
>> I just came out here. I don't
>> uh school. Sorry.
>> Yeah, I'm got the accent and everything
like that. I got to go get notorized and
I got to drop it off at the school.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, that's all we've been waiting on.
>> Oh, you guys got your IDs on you?
>> Uh I don't have mine on me.
>> Who's the other fell in there?
>> Uh our roommate. your roommate.
>> How's it going?
>> It's going. Lost my job last week.
>> Sorry to hear that.
>> I'm in the process trying to find
another job, too. So,
>> fair enough.
>> Yeah, it's been kind of hectic.
>> It's a hard time right now.
>> Yeah.
>> How many get money to help you?
>> Worry about that.
>> How many uh kids y'all got?
>> Three.
>> Three. How old are they? Uh, she's
>> 10 11 14.
>> I'm not able to
different things.
>> If you would. Yeah. Is that all right?
>> I just want to talk to your 14-year-old.
>> To a 14-year-old.
>> Mhm. Is that all right?
>> I mean, we just moved, so we're trying
to get everything transferred over.
Okay.
>> And I went up to the school last week.
>> Okay.
>> And tried to get them to fix the parent.
>> Hey, how are you? and they gave me her
school ID instead of actually giving me
the parent portal and stuff.
>> Okay.
>> Where'd you go from?
>> Okay. Other side.
>> Dustin.
>> Dustin. Gotcha. And your name is
>> Marina.
>> All right.
>> The investigation began after the
couple's eldest daughter, a 14-year-old.
When questioned, the girl appeared
hesitant and visibly afraid, struggling
to reveal the full extent of what she
had witnessed.
>> Anything you want to tell me about
what's going on at the house?
Is every you feel safe and everything?
You're getting taken care of.
>> You didn't sell anything to anybody
about anything that's going on.
>> I mean, you can tell me. I'm not going
to tell them that you told me stuff.
>> It's fine.
>> Well, I understand it's fine, but I
mean, if you're
>> going on at the house that we need to
know,
>> share it with me about the safety of you
guys.
42
>> mentioned something to your to someone
regarding
something your mother did.
>> Okay. Something else too that had to do
with the gun.
>> Yeah. When the girl finally revealed the
information, it became clear that the
case might be far deeper than anyone had
anticipated. As details began to
surface, new suspicions emerged,
suggesting the children were being
subjected to far more severe discipline
than initially believed.
>> Is there a gun in the house?
>> There is one though. Okay.
>> A knife, too.
>> A license?
>> Oh, a life. That's fine. She's not in
trouble for having a gun. You can have a
gun in Georgia. But has she done
anything with the gun? You said that she
put it up to her head in front of you.
Did that happen? Not in front of you.
Did she just tell you she did that or
what?
>> It's
the fighting
right now.
>> Okay. The gentleman that lives there
with you guys, who's he?
>> Yeah, the other guy that's inside.
>> The guy that owns this apartment.
>> Okay. So, you guys live in there with
him? How many bedrooms are there? Three.
>> Three. Do you guys have your own
bedroom? The kids?
>> Yeah.
>> And then where are your parents?
>> They're in their own room.
>> Okay. And then that guy has his own
>> You feel safe though in the house?
>> It doesn't look like you feel safe.
>> At this moment, the parents version of
events framed the situation as nothing
more than ordinary family struggles.
They presented themselves as parents
trying to do what was best for their
children. But to the officers, something
about the story didn't sit right. and
the possibility that it was all a facade
became impossible to ignore.
>> Yeah, my old roommate I'm actually on
the phone company
supposed to come out today and I'm like,
"Where you guys at?"
>> It's hot out.
>> But I mean, everything else has been
pretty good. I
>> mean, as long as the kids are good, we
we don't got any issues. So,
>> Oh, that's great.
>> And we just been having issues getting
into the parent board there. And
>> I even went up there.
>> Yeah. And they they kept saying go to
the parent board.
you've been going to parent that and
they were like, "Oh, we use this code
and it should be able to reset you."
Well, I use that code. But come to find
out that was my daughter's ID for her
school. And I'm like, "Well, that ain't
going to work."
>> So, I called the other school and they
were like, "Oh, well, we can help you
out."
>> And then they helped me out Friday. They
were like or Thursday afternoon. They
were like, "Go up acid, which I just got
Friday. Why don't you guys send me a
notification that cost me $0 for to get
it turned back on?
>> When he's done, we'll get out of your
hair. And like I said, you guys are
working on getting them in school. Kids
have food.
>> I know it's hot, but you know,
>> we got fans, all that stuff. So,
>> just keep doing your best to,
>> you know, get back.
>> That's all we can do nowadays.
>> Exactly. The first real confirmation
emerged when the oldest daughter,
feeling safe for the first time, began
to tell the truth. Do you guys have food
to eat and stuff?
>> Yeah.
>> Who makes you feel safe?
>> Sean.
>> Who's Sean?
>> Chad.
>> Chad.
>> It's
>> Oh, that's the guy that stays there.
What does he do?
>> He makes clothes.
>> He makes you feel unsafe.
>> No. No.
>> That's what I asked.
>> Oh,
>> I said, "Does someone make you feel
unsafe in the house?"
>> Huh?
Mhm. Does he put his hands on you?
>> No.
>> The kids, your sisters? No.
>> Okay. In front of you guys.
>> Do you have your own phone?
>> Have a tablet.
>> Okay.
>> My phone.
>> How long have you guys lived here?
>> A month.
>> Huh? How long do you guys have running
water?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. You have electricity?
>> Not right now. We're supposed to get it
back today.
>> What do you use to power electronics?
>> Uh, I have a friend upstairs.
>> Do you guys take showers and stuff?
>> Yeah.
>> You're able to bathe and what? [music]
Do you have clothing and stuff?
>> Okay. The Chad guy, does he make you
feel uncomfortable or are you okay?
>> He's fine.
>> Okay.
>> He's the one that mostly takes care of
us.
>> Why don't you go to school? Uh we were
>> the last time you were in school
about it.
>> School ended.
>> Okay. So you haven't been to school this
year?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. What grade are you?
>> Can I get your information, please? Have
you spoke to anybody at this school?
>> No.
>> At this point, officers entered the
house and were met with chaos. A space
that reflected [music] mistreatment and
a complete lack of basic structure. They
are in there. Uh right now we're trying
to get everything cleaned up. We've been
moving and everything.
>> Okay.
>> Um we got this. We're limited in here
right now. We've cuz most of it's
ruined.
>> Yeah.
>> But we've got
>> Okay.
>> All this
up here. We've cooked quite a few
chickens. We had a bunch of chicken. We
had to put um one of his friends came
over and picked up some of the meat.
Okay. And you just all all three of them
sleep in here?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. And then you guys sleep in here?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. What do you guys got? Turtles.
>> Uh ballp.
>> Okay. I'm going stay away from
>> Okay. How long have you not had
electricity?
>> Like 3 days.
>> Okay.
>> What's going on there?
>> Run.
>> Do they know you got that going on?
>> I don't care if they do or not.
>> I get it. But it's a fire hazard
>> for everyone in here. Yeah, it is. You
can't have no wiring and stuff going to
that.
>> I told you Chad typed it up.
>> I'm just worried about the rest of the
people in here. Like I said, I'm no
firefighter or electrician, but I used
to be an electrician.
>> I got you.
>> I'm pretty good with this. Not a fire
hazard, but I'm going to make sure these
kids have got AC or something. Like I'm
not going to
>> Fair enough.
>> Whatever I got to do, you know, that's
what I'm going to do.
>> So, you said they're starting school
though tomorrow. Uh, it should be
tomorrow or Wednesday.
>> Okay.
>> Cuz they still got to approve it and
everything like that. So, they should be
in school this week.
>> All right. Have you spoken to the
school?
>> Yes.
>> Today?
>> Not today?
>> Okay. All right.
>> No, my phone's currently.
>> Yeah. Maybe try to reach out to the
school today so that you can speak to
someone before they close.
>> Absolutely.
>> You know, top priority is getting that
AC back on, though.
>> Yes. We'll have everything back on. All
right.
>> All right. You guys take care.
>> Yes, sir. Appreciate it. The situation
escalated once officers contacted
building management. What they learned
suggested this case had been building
for some time.
>> Hello.
>> Hey, how's it going?
>> You there?
>> I'm not the property manager. Uh, she's
out there in her car. You need to speak
to her. You can just knock on her door
>> before y'all say no. I hope y'all are in
that second bedroom over there on the
right. And I hope y'all bust every
freaking one cuz I ain't nothing but a
bunch of
>> That's what I'm asking.
It's just people running in and out. Are
you able to get her over here? The
property manager?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. If you could get her to come over
here so I can talk to her, please.
>> When the property owner was contacted,
officers began to grasp the true scale
of the situation and the inconsistencies
in the parents account. At that point,
the possibility of additional violations
emerged, further deepening the trouble
for Miranda and Dustin.
>> Have you dealt with anything at that
address?
>> At that address, the man below is the
one that deals with the most. decent
smell. So smoking
>> but no like property issues there
>> inside
>> inside outside around it.
>> You know the guy in the black Mustang
with the red accents on it. I know he's
just came moved in there about I don't
know 3 months ago maybe.
>> Yeah.
>> And he comes in out and his him and his
girlfriend fight like the wind.
>> Oh yeah.
>> And yeah we've been out.
>> And then
>> 21105. Are you familiar with anything
going on there?
>> No, just that they're on an addiction.
They haven't paid for the last 2 months.
There's a lot of people that going in
and out at home.
>> Yeah.
>> There's two little kids living there
now.
>> And there's more than that.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. The uh How many folks are supposed
to be up in there?
>> There's only six that's allowed in
there.
>> How many bedrooms is it for?
>> Three. It's two extra bedroom.
>> Okay. Are you guys aware if there's
electricity in there or not?
>> Um so it did get shut off. The little
girl told me that it shut off, but once
it gets shut off, it gets put back in
our name cuz it automatically
>> does it in our system. So, I don't know
if they're on ours.
>> No, they don't have there's no
electricity in there. They're pulling
from your guys's outlet outside
or your
>> light. No water.
>> Are you guys wanting to do anything
about that? I'm assuming that comes from
the property's power, right? the porch
light.
>> Yeah, they're the the outlet out on the
porch may be alive.
>> Yeah, the porch light is your guys', I
believe.
>> Oh, yeah. The porch light's always on
the floor and that's why
>> it's your guys's power. It's not. So, I
just need to know if you guys are
wanting to press charges for the theft
of
>> I would have that or not.
>> I've never had that happen, so I would
have to ask.
>> Okay. Are you able to find that out
while I'm here with you? Yeah, sure. Do
they have water? Do you know that?
>> Yeah, that's automatic.
>> That's through the property.
>> There's not.
>> So that wouldn't get shut down. Gotcha.
>> I know the the girls, the two little
young girls.
>> Mhm.
>> Their mother comes and goes and then the
grandmother comes in her car and sleeps
out there in her car.
>> Okay.
>> And uh but I don't think grandmother's
in any, you know, she's older. She just
sleeps outside in the parking lot.
>> She lives out of the car. They won't
even let her come upstairs supposedly.
>> All right.
>> I do know that the person below them um
they smelled of something weird.
>> Uhhuh.
>> So,
>> okay. And you said I don't know if it's
still going on in the home. It's been a
>> It's been a while. So,
>> I know y'all been up here a few times.
>> When are they supposed to be evicted?
So, their eviction actually just started
um last month and so now we're just
waiting to go to court and everything
this month.
>> Well, if you could work on finding out
about that power situation and what you
guys want to do about that.
>> Yeah, it's unsafe condition. I need to
take care of it.
>> Yeah. Is there a plug out there?
>> There is a plug down below. I don't know
if it's hot or not, but they're taking
it from the light, right?
>> Correct. They have
>> they got you can do one of those things
in and plug it in. wired down with two
hot wires that they look like they took
apart the whole lighting the whole the
whole fixture and then put their own
wires onto the hot wires in there.
>> And then they wired their own socket for
some reason outside of it and then they
have a whole bunch of stuff plugged into
it, extension cords going into the
>> the apartment. So that's not that's not
cool.
>> As evidence continued to mount, officers
reached a point where it became clear
the children could no longer remain in
that environment. more serious measures
had to be taken.
>> We got a call from a social worker at a
school saying the children haven't been
to school in over a week um to come
check on them. Arrived on scene. They
have no power, no AC. It's been 2 or 3
days. Rotting food. House is a mess.
Oldest daughter Isabella said that dad
is physically a mom.
And the last incident, mom held a gun to
her head and uh threatened to kill
herself. [music] Children look like they
haven't bathed in weeks with the power
being off. All the food in the fridge
and freezer went bad. And in reference
to the inadequate um shelter, the
educational neglect, and also the
domestic violence, would you happen to
know if these concerns could be
occurring right now at this present
moment?
>> Uh no, they're not. I'm uh still outside
the apartment building.
>> I'm going to stab this information with
my supervisor and then the county will
be notified of the decision made. You
will receive a copy of the mandate
reporter letter within 24 hours.
>> He said yes. Um, well, press charges. I
do need to take a picture of it for
incident report. Okay.
>> But he says it can cause all kinds of
fires and stuff like that. So,
>> you have your ID handy. And who was that
that you spoke to?
>> Um, Mike. He is our maintenance
regional.
>> Hey, you want to just hang out right
here? We got to talk with everyone.
>> Okay. You just want to hang out right
here. Uh, can I get you and Miranda
downstairs real quick? My sergeant wants
to talk with you guys.
>> At this point, because of the death of
the services, which is that electricity,
you guys are going to get placed under
arrest. So go ahead and place your hands
behind your back.
>> What?
>> That's all me. That's all me.
>> That's all me, though.
>> How is this even possible?
>> Yeah. I don't know.
>> How is this even possible?
>> I thought you said nothing was wrong.
>> Marina and Dustin appeared stunned.
[music] Their reactions suggested they
had no idea how extensive the record of
mistreatment and violations had become,
or how those failures were now shaping
their fate.
>> Okay, stop crying because we can't
understand. The only way we can
understand
>> I'll be willing to talk to you but
I can't
>> explain to me what's going on here.
>> Where do these go?
>> Looks way empty.
>> From the house.
>> From the house.
>> Yeah.
>> Face that way.
>> What's your name?
>> My name is
>> Abigail. Okay. Where's Where's Isabella
at?
>> In her room.
>> Can we I'm going stay right here. I'm
going to go get Isabelle. Okay.
>> Those are the only people I have.
>> Stay right here. I'm going to go get
Isabella. your sisters are upset. You
want to be with them.
>> At this point, we're not going anywhere.
We're just going to sit here and we're
just going to talk to some people and
then go from there. Okay? So, I
understand that this is sad and
stressful and nobody likes staring at
you guys. I'm sorry you had to see that.
Okay? But you'll be able to talk to your
parents and everything before they leave
and everything and [music] we'll figure
everything out. Okay? So,
>> it's either my aunts or grandma's, but
770.
>> Mom and dad's going to be going to jail.
Are you able to come be with the kids?
Let me speak with the defax worker. See
what she's thinking. I uh spoke with
aunt. She doesn't have a license.
Grandma's at work.
>> Okay. Well, let me just tell whatever
that you know to the her cuz she's
basically going to win stuff.
>> Can you lean forward a little bit for
me? Thank you.
>> Even though we've got proof of
everything.
So at this point it's the it's called
theft of their what's it called
services.
>> He did
>> I understand but you had knowledge of it
is the issue and you live in the same
residence. So by that it makes you like
an accomplice. Does that make sense?
>> Was that a misdemeanor or something?
>> It depends. We'll tell you at at uh the
amount that they give us will determine
that how much like the amount that was
taken. So it probably is a misdemeanor
to be honest with you. But I'm not sure
at this point because Officer Bowman's
the one that's handling that. That's
whose car you're in right now. That's
the other officer that you've been
speaking with. So he'll come over here
and he'll talk to you. So at this point,
they're speaking with the defects case
workers. Okay.
>> Okay. Stand up straight for me so I can
get this.
>> It's hard. I got a back injury from my
old job. It's really bothering me. My
back bracelet.
>> What did she ask? Why is she being
charged?
>> Oh, for the reason the reasoning you're
being charged as well is cuz you're
living in that house and you're aware of
what's taking place. So, you're a party
to that crime.
>> I just need to know if they're okay.
>> Who?
>> Yeah. And if the kids are going to be
okay, if they're going to Are they going
to jail? Are
>> the kids?
>> No, obviously not the kids, bro. I'm
just making sure that the parents aren't
going to go to jail so they can stay out
here with their kids.
>> The parents do end up going to jail.
There is um a Department of Family
Services individual here that is
speaking to them and we're trying to get
in touch with family members of your
roommates so that someone will be able
to take the the custody of the children.
>> As officers compared notes, they began
discussing where the weapon Marina may
have used on the day her daughter
finally spoke up. With each new detail
uncovered, a darker side of the parents
actions slowly came into focus. They
admitted that there's guns in the house.
That's on my camera about the gun.
>> You're taking those, right?
>> No, we haven't done anything inside of
there other than he went in there
originally because they allowed him to
just to look around real quick and then
I went in a moment ago to try to find
her inhaler at her request
>> for each other. They're safe in a safe.
>> Yes. But that's his guns. The gun that
they're referring to is these people's
gun. So Chad is just the lease holder
and has no relation to anybody else.
>> Was she served him with the eviction or
>> she served him already? Yeah. While he
was in the back of my car. I now have
his lease or his eviction paper with his
property.
>> Okay.
>> The neighbor right there is cooking them
pizza.
>> Like Okay.
>> The uh gentleman that lives there said
that he wanted to speak to you if you
were interested in hearing what he had
to say.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And then um
>> and then mom and dad are still here,
right? Correct. Okay. So, I'm gonna talk
with them before
>> if you would talk to her first because
this female deputy has to leave soon and
she's gonna transport her. But right
now, the
>> Sergeant Web is talking to her.
>> Did they tell you that there's another
guy that lives here?
>> Chad?
>> No, no, no, no. Gary,
>> no. This is news to us.
>> So, the kid said that there's a guy
named Gary that was living here with
them for the past 3 weeks. They don't
know where he went right now.
>> No idea.
>> You know what? When we hear Friday, I
noticed a guy sleep on the floor.
Interesting.
>> And they did say the heir room.
>> The kids have their own. They share a
room. So, it's three bedrooms in there,
right?
>> So, Chad has his own, the parents have
their own, and then all three kids
share. And then Gary was just living on
the white mattress.
>> Yeah. Now that you mentioned that,
>> so there's like another guy here, so I
don't know if he's planning on coming
back here,
>> but they don't know him. They said it's
a friend of Chad's.
>> Fair enough. As officers prepared to
remove the children from the home, the
weight of what had happened finally set
in. These weren't just allegations
anymore. These were consequences.
>> So, the female deputy she's with. All
right. Here's your daughters to talk to
you real quick. Okay.
>> I'm sorry.
I don't know.
>> I don't want to go either.
>> I wish I could stay. Would
you like a heart bear
>> or whatever this cool thing is?
>> Would you like one, too?
>> There is. She says she has three snakes
in there.
>> I have a snake that needs to be taken.
>> Oh,
>> there's lots of options.
>> You're going to have to take Oracle with
you. Uh, we have the crew.
>> Uh, we'll talk to them about it once we
walk back over by uh by them. Okay.
about the snake. Okay.
>> Yeah, we'll talk to them about it and
we'll make sure we get everything
situated. Okay.
>> All right.
>> Are you ready?
>> Yeah.
>> Are we
>> Is it okay if we can like go in front?
>> They can't go in front, unfortunately.
If we get uh She can leave now and then
she can get out of those really fast.
So, if you want to say goodbye and then
we'll walk back over there and you'll be
able to talk to her soon.
She'll be able to use a phone and call
you. Okay. All right.
>> Bring them over here.
>> Let's back up so they can drive off.
Okay.
>> I love you.
>> All right.
>> I love all you. I'm going to come right
back.
>> Let's walk over by uh Sergeant Web over
here. Do you not have shoes?
>> No.
>> Oh, no.
>> You okay?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. She doesn't have shoes on Web.
>> Still walk in the sun.
>> Oh, we just gave out We just gave out
stuffy.
>> Want another stuffy?
>> Oh my goodness.
Look at you guys.
>> All right, you pick one.
>> Oh my goodness.
>> You have a frog one.
>> Which one?
>> That one.
>> You want this one then?
>> The frog. The frog. Good choice. Good
choice.
>> Are they going to go to jail or they are
they coming right back to us or
something?
So, right now they're going to the jail
and then they're going to spend a little
time there and then once they get out of
there, I don't know how long, but
they'll be able to call you on the
phone.
>> How long?
>> Yeah. Judge is the one that gets to
decide that stuff.
>> So, they'll be able to call you and and
make phone calls to you. Okay.
>> Cuz dad has Adrian's home.
>> Yeah. And
>> I'll make sure that they get that. Do
you still have that with you?
>> So, the dog doesn't eat it.
Oh yeah, watch your pizza.
>> I'm not going to finish it or cuz it
hurts her tooth cuz she needs a
>> She needs to go to the doctor and I do
too.
>> Okay.
>> Why do you want to go to the doctor?
>> I was not a dentist, not a doctor.
>> My teeth.
>> They tell you that they can't eat the
pizza cuz it hurts their teeth because
they need to go to the dentist.
>> Okay.
>> Cuz that's literally what they just
said. She said, "I want to eat this
pizza, but I can't because my teeth hurt
cuz we need to go to the dentist."
>> Keeping dad's phone.
>> No. What' she say?
>> Going to keep dad's phone safe.
>> In the end, Marina was charged with
first-degree cruelty and theft of
services. [music] The children's father
and their roommate, Chad, were also
charged for violations related to the
improper use of a private property.
Moving on to the case where officers
confronted a couple more focused [music]
on getting their next hit than caring
for their little one, who was left
freezing in the cold New Mexico winter.
Did you go to the hospital when you had
him?
>> No, I didn't.
>> No, you didn't.
>> No.
>> So, I have to go inside and look at all
that stuff.
>> So, can [music] we do that?
>> I talked to my mother.
>> So, there's no if ends or buts. They
were saying you possibly Well, you were
pregnant. You possibly had your baby
here alone without going to the
hospital. We have to check to make sure
the child's safe, healthy, he's got
food, running, all that water. Okay. On
January 11th, 2024, officers in Pasco,
New Mexico, received an anonymous call
about what appeared to be a routine
welfare check at an isolated home. But
they had no idea that what lay behind
that door was putting a newborn's life
at risk. Are you, Darlene? Good.
>> Have you had your baby already?
>> Yeah.
>> How's your baby doing?
>> Good.
>> Is he here with you now? Or where's your
baby at?
>> Can we make sure he's okay? That's just
our only concern right now. Okay.
>> You're okay, though? You don't need any
help? You don't need any services?
Nothing like that. Okay.
>> Yeah. Yeah, we just got a call saying
you might have had a baby and people
haven't heard from you in a while, so
we're just checking on you. Okay.
>> Oh, he's okay.
>> Can you bring your baby out here?
>> Or can we come in?
>> I'll bring you.
>> The suspects, Darlene Gonzalez and
Ronald Martinez, came under scrutiny
after an anonymous report raised
concerns about their newborn's
whereabouts and living conditions.
Darlene seemed caught off guard by the
officer's arrival, quickly shielding the
interior of the home from view. As
questions turned to the [music] baby's
condition, her responses became tense
and evasive. Then, a single question
shifted everything. I know it's cold,
but can we see him real quick? It's just
part of our job. Okay.
>> Yeah, he's fine and everything.
>> You guys have food? You guys have
running water here?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
Can I turn the light on him? Okay.
>> Did you go to the hospital when you had
him?
>> No, I didn't.
>> No, you didn't.
>> No.
>> All right. So, can we have you go to the
hospital just to make sure everything's
okay? You want to ride with us? You want
us to call you an ambulance to go?
>> We could call an ambulance.
>> You can go ambulance. Okay. So, we're
going to call an ambulance. Can I have a
friend take me?
>> Huh?
>> Can I have a friend take me?
>> Yeah, but we just got to make sure you
go. Okay.
>> No, I I'll go.
>> Okay, cool. So, we just want to make
sure everything's okay. Okay, sound
good.
>> Yeah.
>> So, uh, can you call a friend to come
get you and take you now?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Officers soon learned the baby was a
newborn who had never been seen by
medical professionals, suggesting the
birth may have taken place inside the
home. When an officer examined the
child, the baby's bluish skin tone told
them everything they needed to know.
This was not a healthy situation.
[snorts]
>> What was your name, sir? Ronald.
>> Ronald. Okay.
>> Okay. What's the What was the number,
Ronald? Uh,
>> could I ask who called?
>> I don't know. It was an anonymous
caller. Okay. So, that's why we had to
stop. Let me try again.
>> Hello.
>> Hi, Mom.
>> Hi.
>> Uh, we need a ride to the hospital, I
guess.
>> Okay. Um, you know what? We don't have a
car seat.
>> Oh, neither do we.
>> So, if we call an ambulance, it's no
charge to you guys. Okay.
>> All right. Well, I guess
>> uh I don't know, but
>> he doesn't have a car seat either,
though.
Uh the the the state police came over
here. They want us to go to the to the
hospital
or what?
>> Let me see.
>> As the conversation continued, a
response from Ronald's mother quietly
raised new questions for the officers,
especially about why medical help had
been avoided altogether. Ronald and
Darlene remained hesitant, almost
resistant to any assistance offered. And
with each guarded answer from Darlene,
the officer's unease only deepened.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> All right.
Okay. Okay.
>> So, give us a second. We're going to go
on. Okay.
>> All right.
>> Huh?
>> No, I I get it. I understand. Okay. But
just because he wasn't born uh born at
the hospital, we need to make sure that
he's okay. He, you know, he's at the you
know, he's got proper weight, all proper
nutrition, all that stuff. Okay. Um,
it's my job, okay? It's nothing against
you. With that being said, I will have
to go inside and make sure that you guys
do have food, running water, and heat.
Okay. So, I have to go inside and look
at all that stuff.
>> So, can we do that?
>> Let me talk to my husband.
>> So, there's no if ends or buts. Either
we go in or you guys are being arrested.
Okay. Okay.
>> For um interference with the child uh
welfare investigation.
>> Okay.
>> All right. Can you just give me a
second?
>> So, I can't let you close the door by
yourself and then but I can stand by the
door. Okay. I won't go in unless you
guys. Either way, we're going to have to
study.
>> At this point, after confirming how
fragile the baby's condition truly was,
the officers realized that medical
assistance alone would not be enough.
The situation had crossed a line, and
Darlene was informed that further
measures would need to be taken. The
gravity of what they were facing was now
undeniable. And the case was no longer
just about providing help. It was about
ensuring protection and accountability.
>> You can have them come to the door.
>> They want to come inside the house.
So, have him come out here so we can
explain it to him. Okay.
Hey, Ronald, talk to us real quick.
Okay.
So, here's the thing. Okay. Because we
did get a call saying we have to come
check on your child. U we do have to
make sure you have food, uh running
water, and electricity. I mean, or and
heat. Okay. I can see the chimney. I
just got to make sure you have running
water and food. Okay. Can we come and
check on that?
>> My house is a mess right now, but
>> it's fine. that that doesn't
>> that's what you guys say every time, you
know, when something else goes wrong,
you know,
>> as long as there's no weapons laying
around. I mean, you know what I mean?
Everyone's everyone's lifestyle is
different. Okay, we can work with you,
okay?
>> By protocol, and given the mounting
evidence, the officers needed to assess
the conditions inside the house. The
request itself was simple, yet Darlene's
reaction was anything but. Her
hesitation, subtle but unmistakable,
hinted at an awareness of what lay
within those walls, suggesting that the
interior concealed far more than mere
material mistreatment.
Can you guys show me the area where you
keep um your baby?
>> Huh?
>> Does he have a place to where he he
sleeps?
>> On the couch.
>> Couch right here.
>> Right behind you.
>> Right here. Okay.
>> And do you guys sleep with him or how do
you take care of that?
>> I sleep with them.
>> Do you ever bring water?
>> Yes.
Hot water. I just got to feel real
quick. Make sure it's hot water. Okay.
>> Yeah, I know.
That works for me. Okay.
You guys have food?
>> Yes.
>> Okay, sounds good. So, I have a couple
questions. Okay.
>> Have you guys been trying to clean up
the place a little bit more since you
had your baby?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. How's How long have you guys been
working on that?
>> Huh?
>> How long have you guys been working on?
>> One day.
>> Yeah.
>> Huh?
>> One day.
>> Just one day.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, sounds good.
>> Can I have you guys walk over here for
me?
>> Can I guys have you guys go both walk to
the door for me real quick
>> and we'll talk by the door. Okay.
So, I'm just going to explain what
happened and why we're here right now.
Okay.
>> Inside the house, officers confirmed the
complete absence of [music] even the
most basic conditions required for a
newborn. Amid the widespread disorder,
they also came across illicit
substances. Ronald refused to say who
[music] they belong to, but
investigators noted clear indications
that they had been used primarily by
Darlene during her pregnancy.
>> So, we got a call saying that you're
pregnant. I don't know who called.
Anonymous caller. I have no idea. Okay,
guys. They were saying you possibly you
were pregnant. You possibly had your
baby here without going to the hospital.
I don't think I don't think that's a
crime. Um I'd have to go to check. Okay.
As far as I'm concerned, it's not a
crime. Okay. Uh you're wanting to get
your son checked out at the hospital.
You're okay with all that. So that's why
we're, you know, so with that being
said, because we have to you did have a
child. We have to check to make sure the
child's safe, healthy, he's got fluid,
running, all that water. Okay. Um, I can
see around the house. Okay. Um, do you
guys need help with that? Do you guys
need services? We can guys get you guys
clean. Um, were you using while you were
pregnant?
>> No.
>> No. Okay. [music]
Sounds good.
So, that's just what's going on right
now. Okay.
>> Sound good?
>> Yeah. Espanola
Espanola.
>> Espanola. Okay. When uh how long was she
in Espanola?
>> She was going to school for an
appointment and she's going to take us
afterwards.
>> Okay. And then um how long how old is
your baby? When did you have him?
>> 7:20.
>> At 7:20 a.m. or PM?
>> 7:20 a.m.
>> Okay. So, here's the deal. Okay. I did
see a little container on the couch.
Whose is it?
Mine.
>> Yours. Okay. So, we'll deal with that
here in a little. Okay. Right now, we're
worried about your son. Okay. We're
going to let you go to the hospital with
him and all that good stuff. Okay. So,
because we see it, I mean, we can't let
you guys stay in here by yourselves, but
we're not going to Nobody's under arrest
as of this very moment. Okay.
>> So, we're just going to wait here with
you guys so Okay.
>> So, what's going to happen then?
>> Huh? [snorts]
>> What's going to happen? Um,
we'll probably type up a CCPC. You'll go
to court for it. Um, I don't exactly
know all the details at the time, but
something along those lines. Um, my main
concern is to make sure your son is
safe, he's healthy, all that. Okay.
>> He is.
>> Okay.
Do you use Cuz if you guys use, I would
really like to get you guys help. That
way, we can get you guys clean and then
that way you can be with your son, you
know, not have to worry about us or CP
or anything. Okay.
>> So, is anybody going to be arrested?
>> Huh?
>> Is anybody going to be arrested? Um, as
of right now, no. Okay. Cuz like I said,
we're worried about your son right now.
Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Does this sound good with you,
Ronald?
>> Okay.
>> Darlene's question about whether someone
would be arrested reveals a chilling
contrast. While her baby showed signs of
a medical crisis, her primary fear
centered on legal consequences.
>> Do you guys have everything you need?
>> Do you guys have everything you need?
>> I'll get my stuff. My diapers.
>> Okay. Oh, where are your diapers at?
You guys any weapons in this house? No.
>> No guns on knives or nothing?
She didn't
>> there too?
>> How many animals do you guys have?
>> Three cats and a dog. M one dog.
>> Is it just the one dog?
>> We have to put the dog outside before we
go.
>> Okay,
>> we'll get that figured out here in a
sec. Okay.
>> As Ronald Martinez was placed into the
patrol car with the newborn, the child's
mother arrived, insisting the baby was
fine. A claim that didn't align with
what officers had already seen. When
officers entered the house for the
second time, they explained what would
happen next. Darlene reacted quickly,
shifting the focus, insisting that
Ronald was not the baby's biological
father. Instead of asking about her
child's condition, she redirected the
conversation entirely, [music] growing
concerned about her cats.
>> Try and hurry cuz he's getting cold.
It's freezing out here tonight.
>> Is it just you guys that live here?
>> Yeah.
>> So, what did you say?
>> I haven't talked to [snorts] him yet.
So, I was on the phone with him this
whole time. Okay. Um they those other
officers showed up and then so we're
just I haven't had a chance to call
>> then.
>> Huh?
>> So what's going on now?
>> So right now um I want I would like for
you to get checked out at the hospital
too. I know you say you're fine, but
just just in case. Okay. Um I don't I
would want
>> you guys more concerned about the baby.
I'm fine.
>> Yeah. But um I And then that way you're
not separated from your child on the way
over there either. You know what I mean?
Um so that's what I would like. Um
[snorts]
so my concern was the bills. Okay. Um
that was my concern. I haven't had a
chance to talk to him yet. Um, but as
far as I know, your husband claimed
ownership of it. So, um, that's why I
needed
>> You going to be arrested?
>> Um, [sighs]
[gasps] so that's what I wanted to talk
about. I know you guys just had your
baby. Um, I wanted to talk to my
sergeant about that. Like I said, I
haven't got a chance to call him yet,
but that's that was my concern. Okay.
So, that's what we were talking about.
Um, I would prefer probably not to, but
I mean, a sergeant's a sergeant. Okay.
You know what I mean? I take orders from
a sergeant. Okay.
>> This is not even his baby and that.
>> It's not It's not his. No.
>> Okay. Well, um that was my concern.
Okay. Um so just so you're updated.
Okay. Um would you like to step outside
to smoke or would you like to go to the
ambulance? Um I would like them just to
you know blood pressure all that on you
too. Okay.
>> Yeah. I'm sorry.
>> I know but just the
kitty kitty.
>> I think they ran that way towards the
back again.
>> As officers continued questioning
Ronald. He eventually admitted ownership
of the illicit container. At that point
there was no way to alter his fate.
Meanwhile, Darlene sat inside a vehicle
smoking. Not once did her questions
focus on her child's condition.
>> You or
my brother-in-law.
>> Are we all right to close the door?
>> I was like right now. Heyasa,
what you want to do?
I was like, "Right now, I'm going to say
no."
>> Just asking if she's good to close the
door.
>> No. No.
>> I was like, "Yeah."
>> Yeah. Just leave it open.
>> So, I don't know what what's going to
happen with my dog then.
>> Your dog?
>> Yeah.
>> Right now, we're told that he he'll be
okay inside for at least a day.
>> Yeah. He's in the bathroom and ready to
mess with me. My daddy doesn't have a
phone or that.
>> You don't have a phone?
>> No.
>> Okay.
>> So, what are we good to go to the
hospital already? Me and the baby then?
>> Uh, we're just waiting for that
clarification, right?
>> Yeah. So, right now we're just
holding here for right now.
>> You're more than welcome to wait inside
the um ambulance with your baby.
>> Yeah. Well, I wanted to smoke a cigar.
>> Okay.
When I do it, I just come in and sit in
the car and close the door, you know.
>> Mhm. Still cold.
>> That seat straight ahead. Buckle up for
us.
>> This moment, paramedics confirmed the
officer's worst suspicions. The baby was
severely dehydrated, underweight, and
showed a bluish skin tone. The findings
made one thing clear. He had been born
exposed to opioids without any medical
[music] equipment or basic assistance.
>> Before we get to it, man, um I got to
advise you of your rights. Okay.
So, you have the [snorts] right to
remain silent. Anything you say can be
used against you in the court of law.
You have the right to talk to a lawyer
to have the law present while you are
being questioned. If you cannot afford
one, uh, one will be appointed to
represent you before questioning if you
wish. You can decide at any time to
exercise these rights and not answer any
questions or make any statements. You
understand your rights? Okay.
>> And you need the restroom. Okay.
>> And you need the restroom.
>> Well, yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Might need something to change into or
something. I feel like gross.
>> Okay. Let me go let him know what's
going on and then we'll get this taken
care of. Okay. I'll be right back.
Just a moment. Come.
Okay. So, just watch your step here.
Okay. It's a little slippery. In the
end, Darlene Gonzalez was charged by
allegations of physical harm, a
first-degree felony, and sentenced to 18
years in prison. Ronald Martinez faced
charges related to illegal possession,
and receiving [music] stolen property,
carrying a possible sentence of up to 4
and 1/2 years. Custody of the baby was
transferred to CYFD, where the child was
placed under the care of the most
suitable relatives. Moving on to the
case that serves as a prime example of
what happens when a pair of parents lose
all sense of control and the
consequences prove fatal for their own
daughter. Sorry, I'm really really stiff
this morning. I can't sit upright.
[music]
>> Are you guys on anything?
>> No.
>> Who's not responsive?
>> Not responsive.
>> Little girl in the middle.
>> Zaki, [music] she didn't.
>> On March 10th, 2024, a nightmare began
to unfold at a remote property on Quail
Run. Thaddius Hawkins, a friend staying
on the land, was jolted awake by screams
for help. What he discovered when he
forced his way into the main trailer
would send him into a panic, leading to
a frantic 911 call that painted a
picture of utter chaos and helplessness.
>> Grant County 911. What is the address of
your emergency?
>> 97 Quail Run.
>> Okay, tell me exactly what happened.
>> I have no idea. Uh I'm staying with some
friends right now and they are
completely one a little girl who's not
responsive at all to the adult. The
parents are somewhat responsive, but not
they're in and out of and then they have
a 7-year-old boy who is mostly
responsive. I was able to get him on a
tear, but I don't know what's going on.
>> I really don't.
>> And are you staying in the same house?
>> No, no, I I'm on the I'm just on the
property.
>> Okay. What is your name?
>> I woke my name is Thaddius Hawkins. I
woke up and I heard uh someone yelling
ow help. And so I went in here. I was
trying to help him. Okay. And what room
is he in?
>> Uh, it's kind of like a one living room
living living area type of thing right
now, but he's in the same area of them.
They're all in the same like tiny home
area.
>> Okay. Give me a second while I get them
started on their way. Okay.
>> After receiving the disturbing call,
officers rushed to the scene only to be
met with one of the most horrifying
sights of their careers.
>> What's going on?
Uh [music] some of the the people in the
home right here that aren't responding.
They're not responding. They have two
one.
>> Who's here? Sheriff's office.
>> Yeah. What's going on?
>> My mic checked. Sorry, I'm really really
stiff this morning. I can't sit upright.
[music]
>> Are you guys on anything?
>> No.
>> No. Oh, what?
>> No, I'm just
>> What's wrong with him?
>> He's tired.
>> Is he awake?
>> He's up from here over to there. He is
awake.
>> Who's not responsive? [music]
>> Not responsive.
>> Little girl in the middle.
>> Little She's responsive.
>> Let me see.
>> You guys need to move.
>> Yes.
>> Move.
You guys need to get up now.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Get up.
>> We're getting up. We're getting up.
>> Get up.
>> We're getting up. I'm getting up.
>> Let's go. Hurry up. Get up. I'm getting
>> You guys need to get out.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Stand up. Yes, you can stand up.
>> Get up. Hurry up.
>> I see.
>> You need to get up.
>> Got it.
>> Got a 10 seven.
>> Where?
>> Right here.
>> Oh, get up. Yes. Get up now. Get up.
Get out. I don't care. Stand up.
>> I'm going.
>> How long? Hondao.
>> Check his check his vitals.
>> Did y'all smoking?
>> Huh?
>> No.
>> What is it?
>> No, it's not. No, we just fell asleep
really hard.
>> We're 75.
What's going on? Was it
>> a unit calling? You're very
standard.
Yeah.
>> Give me your hands. Give me your hand.
>> What is it?
>> Stand up.
>> Okay.
>> I'm not going TO TELL YOU AGAIN.
>> STAND UP.
>> I'm standing up. I'm trying to
>> Give me that arm.
>> Yeah.
>> When deputies finally arrived at the
remote trailer, they were confronted
with a scene that was both disturbing
and bewildering. The parents, music and
Matthew, were conscious but completely
incoherent, mumbling weak denials as
they swayed in a pitiful stuper. But any
trace of patience vanished when one
officer noticed the unresponsive little
girl lying nearby. She was stretched out
between her parents not breathing. This
was no longer just a case of narcotics
addicted parents. It was a matter of an
innocent child's life.
>> Sammy confused. So nothing.
>> What about
me?
>> All right. Just be honest with me
because I need to be able to treat the
kids.
>> When you get up. Okay.
>> Stand up.
Sit down.
Come here. Sit up. Come here.
>> What did you take?
>> I don't remember taking anything.
>> How long you been out?
>> When was the last time that you were
okay?
>> Last time I was okay.
We were uh
laying in the bed there. Um,
had to split all the oaks.
>> Hey, what the hell did you take, bro?
What did you take?
>> I didn't take anything.
>> What do [music] you guys have then?
>> I don't have anything.
>> You want me You want to take him to the
unit?
>> We'll get that one to EMS check vital.
>> We'll take them.
>> Let's take one at a time. I don't know
if he can walk. He needs to get sleep
first.
>> Okay. So, I we don't know what exactly
what they took. They're both confused.
They don't want to say anything. We have
110 7 5-year-old [music]
Yeah,
>> another one. Bad condition. He was
unconscious, I believe, when they got
here. And she was also in bad condition
when they got here. But our detectives
are on the way right now, so we're just
securing everything. She good.
>> Let's go. Stand up.
>> What's your name?
>> Music.
>> Huh?
>> Music.
>> All right. Stand up. Music. And place
your hand behind your back. Okay.
>> Okay. Really? Stand very well. I don't
>> I don't know what it is. I'm trying.
Okay.
getting there.
>> Sorry.
>> Come on.
>> I'm trying. I'm really trying.
While music and Matthew were finally
handcuffed, their daughter Zachary
received desperate CPR, but it was
already too late, and she was pronounced
deceased at the scene, passing away on
the night of her birthday. Their son was
pulled from the filth, alive, but
bearing the invisible scars on his body.
The scene was a disturbing puzzle.
Music's absurd claim of being sober
crumbled against her and Matthew's
pathetic, incapacitated states.
>> You awake? Are you good? I don't know.
What do you mean you don't know? I'm not
sure.
Give me a second. Yeah,
>> he's not feeling too good. I don't know
if you guys want to check him out again.
Who?
>> He's leaning to the side and he said
he's not feeling too good.
>> Hello.
>> Hello.
>> What's going on?
>> Nothing.
>> You said you don't feel good.
>> Um, yeah. Lightheaded.
>> Lightheaded?
>> No.
>> Okay. Okay. Can you tell me what your
name is?
>> Do you mind if we just check your vital
one more time? Okay.
I took a needle off of her right there.
It's all burnt up. Still ash marks on
her sweater.
>> Open. The door was already open.
>> I seen the parents laying down. And I
seen the son. He didn't look responsive.
I didn't see him until I asked him. I
said, "What's going on?" I look left.
He's just sitting on [music] the chair
all lethargic. I was like, "What's wrong
with him?" And I saw him moving and
breathing. So I was like, "Okay." So I
went to go check on him. I was um who's
not responsive?
>> And then she goes, "Um the mom goes, I
don't think she is." And I looked and
they're on top of her. I didn't even see
him. Like his half of his left body was
on her left side, half of her right body
was on her other side.
So she moved and I looked at the kid and
I looked at her and it was just it she
was already gone.
>> What's going [music] on?
>> Why am I being arrested?
>> You're not being arrested. You're being
detained.
>> Why?
>> Because you're up here and there as a
kid. That's why
>> kid.
>> Yeah.
>> I wasn't even in the house.
>> I I don't care.
>> Called.
>> I didn't know she was
>> I really didn't. That's why I called. I
didn't know what to look.
>> Wait until they read you your rights.
Then you can start talking.
>> Thank you.
>> While Thaddius was taken for a formal
interrogation, the focus shifted back to
the woman at the center of the horror.
Still reeling, music was questioned
about the night's events. What followed
was not clarity, but a shocking torrent
of rambling excuses and bizarre claims
that would only deepen the mystery
[music] of her own child's death.
>> Diabetes, seizures, strokes.
>> I have had seizures before cuz I got a
minor minor nas and cranial fracture on
a bicycle, but it was like 10 years ago.
>> What's your name? Music.
>> Can you spell that? M US. My parents are
long-haired freaky people. They really
named me music. I have an ID. Do
>> you have heart problems?
>> Not that I know of, but I have been
having a lot of episodes where [music]
my both arms will be super numb when I
wake up in the morning, but nothing like
last night. Last night, I couldn't sit
up cuz it was excruciating
and my kids were all floppy like we all
were all floppy. I can't explain it. I
don't have any idea. I don't know how my
kids would have gotten it. We were at
their birthday party all day. Like we
did not have on us at the birthday
party.
>> Music's story crumbled with a clumsy
revealing lie about the birthday party
exposing her panic. At the hospital, her
pathetic performance continued as she
desperately tried to shift the blame to
anything but her.
>> Um, she couldn't sit up. I have no idea.
Like I've done a lot of and nothing is
like that and I don't know what it was.
But I do want a toxicology to know if
something is going on. Everybody that
was at the party I trusted.
>> What are you going to be the nurse?
Okay. So, just real quick, um I don't
know if you're aware of her situation,
what's going on? So, thing is, so let's
just ignore it. So, she doesn't know
anything at all. She doesn't know her
kids yet. Let's just if she does say
anything, just ignore it.
>> But we had to eat that way was chocolate
cakes that they got for my daughter for
her birthday. I do smoke weed. You just
the last time I dip the guy's at well
approximately 12:30.
>> Okay.
>> Before we head out to the park for her
birthday party. [music]
>> I can't let you leave this. My cat let
you leave this room. How is he doing?
>> He's he is said he hasn't eaten since
Friday.
At this point of the investigation,
Music's lies fell apart after her son's
accounts. He hadn't eaten in over 48
hours. Even during his sister's
birthday, this shocking mistreatment
shattered Music's facade. Back at the
hospital, her performance continued.
>> Hannah got a little bit of a mess right
now.
>> Uh, so we're working through it a little
bit at a time.
>> Uh, the reason I'm here, I wonder if I
could take some pictures of [music] you.
>> Yes, that's fine.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Are you the detective?
>> I am.
>> Are you the one that will also be
getting a toxology report? Cuz I need
one. I know that. I know. Well, I've
done a lot of in my life and I've never
felt anything like I did last [music]
night. It was completely bizarre that
all that we had was the chocolate cake
that we bought at Albertson's just
before bed. We ate a slice of one more
slice of chocolate cake.
>> And what what was it that you felt
[music] last night?
>> Last night I just felt like I couldn't
hold myself up. Like I kept falling into
the wall. My kids kept falling into
>> you. You're weak. You were dizzy.
>> Uh above.
>> You have any questions for me? My chance
to me.
>> Um, your kids are okay right now.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay. Yeah. One one of your kids
is here right now, but I'll talk to you
about this more here in a little bit.
Okay. [music]
>> You could have won.
>> But wait, I was like,
>> so we're going to do a like X-ray and
they they need to chest.
>> You want another blanket?
>> Any findings so far?
The detective, fully aware of Zachary's
death, deliberately withheld the news to
control the situation. Meanwhile, the
real victim, Music's son, fought for his
life across the hall. The boy's severe
condition with trouble breathing and
being unable to stand painted the true
picture of the horror that had been
their home. But although the officers
wanted to free the parents from the
shock of knowing about the tragedy, the
truth had to emerge.
>> When we have a death occur, we treat
every as if it's a homicide until we can
prove otherwise, whether it's someone
old person their bed or what have you.
So, just for those reasons, we're going
to take some pictures. Okay.
>> What's that?
>> The little girl's gone.
>> Okay. So, we're going to have you stand
up. Um, Officer Kados is going to remove
your hand cuz we're going to take some
pictures. Okay.
You remember? Oh,
>> you guys were waking me up. She was
talking.
>> So, Mr. Binham, I'm here in a while.
We're going to have a conversation about
that. Okay. Um, but I know you're you're
going to need a little time.
>> Wait for representation.
>> Okay. You're you're going to want a
lawyer?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay, cool. Well, then let's take some
pictures and then we can get you back to
uh to the cell for now. Okay. You guys
are free to go. You guys are free to go.
You just got you just can't go back to
the house.
>> Back to the house right now.
>> Yeah.
>> So,
>> he knows.
>> Well, he doesn't know. That's why I'm
telling him.
>> They don't know.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, they're Yeah, you can't
go back to the house. You guys are free
to go. You guys spoons. Um, she
understand
>> the phone.
>> Yeah.
>> You guys come back tomorrow and get with
the detectives in the morning.
>> At this point, the reality was finally
sinking in for the father and the weight
of it was overwhelming. Even after being
given the chance to talk with his wife
about what had happened, he couldn't
bring himself to do it, leaving the
detectives to deliver the horrible
truth. Not only were the parents
submitted to questions, but also the
caller, who was still a suspect in the
case.
>> Sorry about that,
All right. So, I'm going to read this to
you. Um, it's an absence
to investigative detention. Okay.
Considering the matter at hand,
>> I saw that you were the 911 caller. Yes.
>> But before we get into that, let's start
in the morning. So, how did the morning
start? Well, I So, I don't know if you
saw the red van there or not with the
dogs in there barking. Um, that's where
I'm I'm trying to convert that into a
little trailer. Uh, that's where I was
sleeping. I woke up and I thought I
heard some I thought I heard the kids
playing around outside and then I
realized that someone was yelling out
how inside the tiny home and I didn't
know why. So, I got out of the van. I
went to night pack. There was music that
was kind of laying near [music]
uh music that almost on top of Zachi,
little girl. Uh so, that's what I
decided to call 911. Oh, so let's just
kind of backtrack it a little bit. So,
you heard music yelling. [music] So, you
hear that. You walk to the You go to the
door and you open the door and you see
Matt. Zack. You said Zachie. Zachie and
music lay on what? Well, that was on the
bed. Zaki [music] was kind of half on,
half off, and music was not on the bed
at all.
>> Thaddius's account matched the scene,
but his claim that the couple only used
one substance was a blatant lie, as
music had already admitted to harder
substances. Yet, this deception became
irrelevant when a single crucial
question unlocked the case.
>> How did they get out?
>> Uh, it was a pro, it's a propane
below. Yeah, but last night the propane
the few nights ago the propane ran out
and they had taken it off to go get
propane but never got it to the cocaine
bill.
>> Did they ever start fires in the house?
>> No.
>> No, they they So they don't start fires
in the house. They go and they I thought
you saw the cold the bathtub.
>> Yeah.
>> So that was where they went to they burn
wood and brought it in once it was cold
and no smoke glass.
>> Yeah, cuz that's what I thought I felt
and I was like, "Well, maybe we could be
looking at carbon monoxide here, too."
It was I I don't think it would have
been because last night they might have
used wood to the coals to heat it, but
it's probably not like it.
>> The carbon monoxide theory was
chillingly plausible. Explaining the
family's collective sickness, but was it
an accident or something more? To get
the raw truth, the detective revealed
the ultimate stakes to Thaddius.
>> Zack
did not know that
gone.
That's why
all of this and that. Yeah. Okay.
Because we need to figure out how in the
heck this even came to be.
>> Okay. So, I know [clears throat] last
time you even talked you talked a lot
about doing the right thing and this and
that.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, that situation that you were in
definitely a good time to do that.
Right. Right. I can't even think of a
situation where it would be more
important
>> to to know what's going on than right
now. I'm not the kind of cop that likes
to get people caught up. That's not why
I do that. That's not why I'm here
>> right now. Seeing
seeing her
covered up,
>> seeing her afterwards
like I'm I'm alive. Like it it
knocked me down. I I I cried for a good
long while. It did.
>> Yeah. I walking away from the audio and
[music] crying.
>> Yeah.
>> I didn't know why.
>> Yeah. It got it got a lot worse after
that. Um right now my job is to do right
by Zachi and the best I can by
understanding what's going on. I mean
and and like I said, sometimes things
happen. Sometimes people other people on
purpose.
>> Yeah.
>> Sometimes um
it accidental or things go too far.
There's a million reasons why something
could happen, why it could come to be,
right?
>> Um, and sometimes
the the the little details of things
that happened that end up meaning a lot,
[music]
>> right,
>> down the road, like you could be like,
well, I noticed this or I did see that
>> or I over overheard whatever or I had
this feeling.
>> Yeah.
>> Or something didn't smell right and
something, right? So sometimes those
things can lead to her having a greater
understanding. So is there anything of
that nature regarding anyone that was
there at any time that could have led
potentially to that? [music]
The only I only ever heard music and
Matt argue,
but it was usually when Matt was super
tired and stayed up all night cut
gathering [music] wood and stuff and
then the truck would break down or
something would go wrong and he get
it. It caring for that happened, but it
was never around the kid. They never did
anything around the kid and they [music]
loved him. Is there anything that stands
out to you about what happened that
could explain what's going on here?
>> Oh, I mean what stood out
a pale it was or that's what they
called.
>> Fattius seemed to believe no harm was
intended, but his ignorance of the
couple's habits left a void. The mystery
surrounding that night was paralyzing.
With the Cole as their only lead,
detectives had to revisit the trailer,
the silent toxic tomb itself, to search
for the physical proof that could
finally explain how a home became a
death chamber.
>> Reporting for us?
>> Yep.
So, I'm sure they went over this several
times with you, but boy was somewhere in
this region. Dad was laying here. uh the
student here and the mom off to the
side. And then when Thaddius came in, he
saw them here. She was super pale. For
some reason, moved him to this chair
and then uh came back and then that's
when he started calling 911.
Girl could have gotten sick. I mean,
living like this, you know, gets a
little bit of a cold or something, then
there you go.
she has any kind of immunal compromise
here.
>> So they said that she got sick and threw
up. The mom was like, "I've done a lot
of drug my life." She goes, "I
occasionally do and uh and but I don't
do her nothing like that and I've never
felt like I did last night ever in my
life." The medical proof was
devastating. Zachary's tiny body held a
lethal 70% carbon monoxide saturation.
The trailer's fumes had taken her life.
Armed with this truth, detectives
launched their final interrogation of
music. Their mission was no longer to
ask what happened, but to dismantle her
wall of excuses and expose the criminal
mistreatment that ended her daughter.
>> Like I said, you can vote anytime you
want. All right.
Like the [clears throat]
like the deputy told you, I'm detective.
You can just call me Randy. That's fine.
So, my job is to figure out what
happened. [music] And you are someone
that can give me information that I
obviously wasn't there for.
>> Yeah.
>> I'm playing a little bit of catch up. Um
I do smoke and um but I have not embied
any
>> Okay. So just to be clear with [music]
you
>> Thank you. I appreciate
>> I do not use them regularly. It was just
kind of like I wanted to I wasn't
feeling good. Doesn't matter. It's
that's all just excuses. But anyways, I
had not used any past like noon noon 30
at the very latest. Okay.
>> Um and there was nothing. There was no
there was nothing that she could [music]
get in the room. The room is extremely
messy and that is true. And we're
working on it. We don't have a vehicle
right now to even take it to the dump.
So, it's really really hard.
>> It [music] is hard. And uh we had a
friend that was letting us use their
truck
>> um to do dumps and stuff.
>> Okay. I'm sorry. I do dump all
>> and uh
yeah I've been not recently but like
recently I've just been and I've done a
lot of life though my name is music my
parents named me music you know that's
the life I grew up in but um
I've never felt like I did last night it
was unreal like I couldn't hold myself
up my do my daughter and my son couldn't
hold himself builds up. I had no idea
what was going on. I just wanted us to
get some sleep and I thought that that
would help. And
I don't know. I don't know what it was.
>> In a revealing and desperate ploy, music
obsessively fixated on her own
compromised state, yet bizarrely refused
to link it to the family's illness. The
detective interpreted this as proof she
knew her daughter was deceased upon
waking, sparking her frantic cover up.
Her act then shifted to a rehearsed,
eloquent performance, a pathetic attempt
to play the victim. That was not like
anything I've ever experienced.
>> They It's extremely weird, right?
>> Yes.
>> It's like that stuff like that doesn't
happen.
>> I don't I don't have any idea what
happened, but I want to know what was in
my system and I want to know how it got
to my kids system because they did not
get in. They I'm telling you and an
investigation will have to be done and
that is fine with me. But I know that I
do not do arguing. I know that. And so
if that's in my system and if that's in
my little girl's system, somebody put it
there. Sorry, my language that I can
speak however you want. You're going to
right now. Straight up.
>> I want to speak eloquently because I
don't want to
>> be misconstrued.
>> I don't want to be misconstrued. I know
that a lot of people come through here
lying about what they do [music] and I
am not here to lie about what I do. I'm
here to figure out what happened to my
children because I
just want to know that okay
>> we want the opportunity to become vested
for them. I don't know what happened. I
don't think it was the cake or anything.
I don't know what was.
>> What about the heater? How
>> the heater? We don't have the propane
system. We were out [music] of propane
>> and the coal. Like they fig out the cold
or whatever you were bringing in there.
>> Yeah, it was cold. They were cold. Um,
but we burn them all the way to coals so
they don't smoke the place out. And then
then
we vent the window. Normally we have a
propane heater and then we have the
propane hooked up to the heater that's
up against the wall.
>> Um, we still leave it vented because we
the kids were a while back like when we
first moved in. This is over a year ago.
bike was rising [music] up, curling up.
Um, and we discovered it because we had
all the windows shut with the propane
heater [music] on. So, it wasn't
ventilating properly. So, we started
leaving the windows just cracked and
that was enough. And we all throwing up
stuff.
>> Her own words condemned her. Music
admitted they knew the ventilation
danger from past incidents, yet still
failed to open a window, recklessly
turning their trailer into their
daughter's gas chamber.
>> Yeah, that was my initial thought with
everyone in the house. like you guys
[music] from what we were told at the
times like people just aren't feeling
good and having that type of heater
inside the house or or even burning the
cold inside you get a little carbon
monoxide uh a certain percent I don't
know doctor some [music] percent you're
going to start feeling sick and whatn
not then after that things get a little
bit more serious
>> but for definitely more serious until
>> there should have been at least
your son's been die um I I checked on
him at the hospital when when I saw you.
Um, [music]
so from what they're thinking at at that
time, things could have changed. Um,
[music] he looks like he had a touch of
pneumonia.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. But I mean, otherwise, you seem
pretty pretty okay. They're treating
them. They're going to do what doctors
do.
>> Yeah.
>> Right. [music] And check him for all
sorts of stuff.
Um, Zaki, she didn't
But we are going to look into it as
deeply as we possibly can to try to get
a better answer for what happened.
>> The detective saw through her act. Her
shock was nothing more than dry-eyed
theatrics. At this point, the
interrogation was over. The damning
evidence of their past mistreatment
along with her own admissions sealed
their fate. In the end, after 2 months
free, they were finally arrested and
charged with the ultimate betrayal of a
parent's duty. Moving on to the case
where officers were dispatched to a true
house of horror containing three
innocent children and their horrible
mother who undoubtedly failed to care
for them.
>> There's maggots on the floor,
>> right?
>> I walked into the living room. She had
her legs spread open and her little
brother had his face in her.
>> She said, "Daddy Tim, that's my [music]
when I'm laying down." God, bro, I'm
getting irritated, bro.
>> On October 12th, 2023, officers
responded to a welfare check after an
anonymous call reported that young
children were living in hazardous and
unsanitary conditions under the care of
their mother. But so the two cops that
were actually up there, they were called
here two weeks ago because the guy that
was here, she found out was aended. He's
not supposed to be around no kids. So
she made the cops get make him get his
stuff and leave. Ever since then, he got
put on a GPS. He's not allowed here.
He's not around her or the kids. She
walked down the street maybe an hour
ago, met him, and she's all the way at
his house now. The kids are here. If you
guys walk in the house,
>> who met?
>> Uh their mom. Her name is Britney Weber.
I mean, you guys, if you guys look at
the house inside, like it's there's
nats, the dishes, like it's there's no
food. You there's nothing to cook with.
They have like no clothes, no diapers.
Everything's there's like poop
everywhere around the house. There's
like you can't even take a bath cuz
there's no water.
>> CSV been here.
>> Yeah, but they said that there's no
reason for them to be here.
>> You mean there's no reason for them?
>> I don't know. Supposedly that's just
said CPS said that they have no reason
to be here because they don't see
nothing wrong with
>> CSV has no reason to.
>> They said that they didn't even know why
they got involved cuz they they all have
lead poisoning. Their lead poisoning is
like really bad. And they were at the
hospital. You know, they have blood
poisoning. They all three kids got blood
work done and it she got a thing in the
mail that she had to call the health
department. They went in today for more
lead poisoning checks and they still
have it.
>> Do you live here?
>> Um I am but I actually am going through
a rehab right now to get my son back and
so I leave Sunday so I and that's why I
I can't I can't keep my mouth shut
anymore. I honestly can't.
>> When officers arrived, they were met by
a family member who described the house
as a nightmare. Children left alone, no
food, no clean clothes, no running
water, and filth covering every surface.
Britney had left to meet a man banned
from being around the [music] kids,
leaving them in a very unsafe
environment. The conditions inside made
it clear that the situation was serious
and required immediate attention.
That's the thing. Like nobody knows what
like Britney is not all there in the
head.
>> Do you want to sit down?
>> She's still standing here and she's
eating.
>> Well, she's getting really close to
losing her kids.
>> I know. And that's what we keep telling
them and they don't listen. You guys can
go through the house.
>> Hi, kitty. Let's go back inside.
>> No, keep going.
>> You're so cute.
>> Okay.
>> Hi, sweetie.
>> Your mom left.
>> Okay.
>> She'll be back tomorrow. She's been gone
since yesterday. She came back today
because she had
to worry about getting
my room.
>> Yeah.
>> Come on. here.
>> Can you get the dog secured?
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Riley,
>> do you live downstairs? Do you live
here?
>> No.
>> You don't live here?
>> No.
>> So, what are you doing here right now?
>> Just staying here.
>> What's going on back here?
>> I guess he's staying the night with his
cousin.
>> Uh, yeah.
>> Okay. Were you here last time we were
here about the Tim thing, the fight?
>> Yeah, I just came back today.
>> Yeah. No, you're fine. I was just
wondering if you're here for that.
>> Can you do me a favor? Just have a seat.
in here.
>> Oh my god. I know. And this is why I
honestly cannot hear. Exactly. This is
what I'm talking about.
>> There's maggots on the floor.
>> Despite repeated warnings, the mother
continued the same behavior, pushing
herself closer to losing her children.
She had been gone overnight, leaving the
kids behind. As officers were guided
room by room through the home, they
quickly realized just how miserable the
conditions inside truly were.
>> I mean, the bathtub doesn't even drain.
This is room, not a room.
This is Kylo's room.
>> Part five,
>> not a room. I just I can't let these
kids sit in this anymore. It's
disgusting.
>> Yeah. In the kitchen, the second you
walk in, there are like thousands of
mats. Just
>> say there's no running water.
>> There is, but beside the toilet where
he's standing, you have to turn it on.
But the water does not drain. It's been
like that for 4 days.
>> No handle to turn on.
>> Nope. You have to turn it on behind
inside the wall.
>> Puppies. These are bedrooms. This one
has two puppies.
>> Those puppies. Yeah. Yeah. You're good.
>> The room that that boy's in, he's just
staying the night helping us watch the
kids. That the room he's in is the
little boy's room. And then the room
with the puppies are the two girls's
room.
>> Definitely seen worse. I've been in this
house many, many times. Really wanted
to.
>> Yeah, that's the thing. I've seen them
much worse.
>> Oh, thank you.
>> She said at the top of the girls bag and
look
bag. What you said? Look at the garbage
bag and look down. I see it.
>> I don't see anything moving. See like
broken up ramen.
>> Yeah, that's what I saw on the stairs,
too.
>> Yeah. Grinding through the garbage.
>> No.
>> I could not hear this anymore. I know. I
know. And CPS came the other day and
last week I was told that she was
talking to this guy that had shoot over
came over with her. She's been selling
her food stamps to get hurt since she's
restoring them and she refused to do a
test to CPS and then she re she cleaned
her body. She detoxed and then took a
test. That's why I had the girl that's
sitting right there. Her older sister's
mom is the one that called. So I had her
call that way. It wasn't through my
phone. She didn't she didn't know.
Yesterday she was sitting in this chair
right here. He was on FaceTime. He was
in the shower and you could see
everything. I was sitting there and I
could see it. All three kids were
sitting there. Every time he showed her
something or did anything else, she was
like, "Man, do it again." They were
>> they were videoing basically.
>> The bathtub wouldn't drain. Water had to
be turned on from inside the wall and
the children's rooms were overrun with
filth and animals. Despite prior CPS
involvement, evidence pointed to ongoing
mistreatment and narcotics use with the
children being exposed to explicit
behavior inside the house. The caregiver
reported that the children were not
being properly fed, bathed, or looked
after.
>> I can't let these kids sit in this
stress. It's
>> Yeah, I don't blame you. I'm like
terrified to leave Monday because I'm
the one if it's not for me. They don't
get bathed. They don't get changed. They
don't eat.
>> My partner and I've been to this house a
few times. So, we are aware.
>> I was saying she's going to look stupid
because you guys were the ones that were
here when she closed the cops on him and
now she's with him.
>> Yes.
>> And she's choosing her kids. She just
got off and noticed a few days ago about
her house being dirty from the city.
Still, she crumbled it up and threw it.
She does not care.
>> Yeah, I know.
How many kids are in this house total?
>> So, it's just me, the one that I Kaden
and then Britain, which them two are
just here helping me watch the kids
overnight. That's all.
>> This mom, what is her name?
>> Britney Weaver. But she's actually
calling me right now.
>> Are you going to answer it?
>> So, I just I'm just going to be like,
"Somebody called the cops. They're here
for a well check. Can I just say that?"
>> That's up to you. I'm not going to tell
you what to say.
>> I'm just going to tell her that. They
said that. Britney, my phone's on one
and the cops are all here doing a well
check on your kids. Just so you're
aware. Don't ask me. But I'm just
letting you know. Me, Kaden, Britain,
and the three kids. not here. Grandma's
Well, they're all talking at the car
right now, so I don't know. I'm wait I'm
sitting here waiting, but my phone's on
one. I need to save my batteries, so if
something happens, I can call you back.
All right. Anyway,
>> I just drove by and seen you guys
sitting here, so I figured I'd stop by
and see what's going on.
>> Yeah. So, we're here for a welfare
check. Third party person called because
of basically the living conditions that
the kids are have been dealing with. So,
>> I haven't met you before.
>> I'm Andrew.
>> I'm her ex. I pretty much raised the
kids. I'm here, not here. So, I'll say
all the times that we've been here, I've
never seen them.
>> Yeah, I I haven't really tried to be
here. I I usually just stop [laughter]
and see the kids here and there. I try.
>> Are you any of the children's
biological?
>> Not biological. No, but I've been there
since the oldest was 2 months old.
>> Gotcha. If I need to, her parents are
right up the street.
>> Well, we have a supervisor coming, so we
can't just relinquish, right? We can't
take the kids out of here and give them
the parents. We're going to have to go
through the whole process,
>> if that's even the route we're taking.
>> Yes. The mother had ignored a recent
city notice about unsafe living
conditions. Police went through the
house checking on the children's welfare
and speaking with a former caregiver who
knew them well. A supervisor was brought
in to decide the next steps following
[music] proper procedure.
>> It's my dad and my stepmom.
>> Hi.
>> Hi.
>> I thought I recognized you.
>> Yeah.
>> And didn't know you were late.
>> What's going on?
>> Well, we got an anonymous call from the
worker um at the house. There's
literally watching a piece of [ __ ] up.
>> They had another call.
>> Well, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
>> And told him I call him back when I got
the kids and I take him after. Go get in
the truck. Brighton him.
>> I will.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> No, this is a mom.
>> That's the other kid's mom. This is a
family member.
>> Sister,
>> she had a CSB case a while back. it was
in there that I would have custody of
the kids.
>> That's not for us to decide.
>> So, how can I get the
>> CSV wants to and when they get here, if
they want to relinquish it to you, then
they can. We don't do that. We can't
make that decision. The only thing that
we can do is take them out of her
custody, give them the children's
services, and the children's services
may come, not us.
>> All right.
>> Okay. So, did you give anybody your
information at all?
>> You're welcome to stay in when they show
up.
>> They stay till they come and I would
prefer them to be with me.
>> I promise, baby, it'll be all right.
My son's coming in now.
>> Your son's coming down?
>> Yeah.
>> For [music]
>> I'm taking in with me.
>> I'm taking over with you.
>> My son, he was staying here.
>> Okay. So So
>> he don't live here.
>> All right, that's fine. The kids are
being We're taking care of you.
>> I know that. I heard that.
>> Yes, your mom is coming, baby.
>> But right now, we'll deal with it. Okay.
>> You guys are all right. I kept telling
your mom this was going to happen. Well,
I need you to stay with them for a
second while I tell Blake something.
>> I'm going to try and get them to come
with me.
>> The officers came about for that guy
that she was seeing. I was here when
that was going on
>> and I gave them my information so they
if they needed anything to call me, but
I live in Utah and I work all the time,
but obviously I can make
>> my schedule around the kids.
>> When the grandparents arrived, they were
left in shock. Rooms in disarray, water
barely running, and the children left to
fend for themselves. Shock and
helplessness hit them as they grasped
just how unsafe the home was. Officers
explained an anonymous call had
triggered the welfare check and that any
decisions now rested with children's
services, not [music] family as custody
histories, ages, and prior cases came to
light. The tension escalated. The
children's future hung in the balance.
>> What exactly did she tell you about? Um,
so because when I walked down, I saw
Kyle's face and ran home. I pulled her
outside. I said, "Well, one, I talked to
him. I said, "You guys cannot do that.
It's inappropriate. It's for warm-ups."
I pulled her outside. We were sitting on
the porch and the boys were outside and
I said, she wasn't saying that. I said,
"Would you feel more comfortable doing
the walk and you can tell me boys?" She
said, "Yes." I said, "Did somebody touch
you?" She said, "No." I said, "Did
someone touch you in the private areas?"
She said, "Yes." I said, "Who?" She
said, "Daddy, it's Tim." I said, "What
did you do?" She said when I laid with
him he rubbed my she calls it and I said
are you telling the truth please do not
lie to me. She said I am not lying.
>> What the young girl revealed to the
woman was deeply disturbing exposing the
true nightmare those children were
enduring inside that house. The
seriousness of the situation was
immediately clear. Action had to be
taken. Just then Britney arrived and the
tension exploded [music] into a
full-blown crisis.
Pig me
going with us. Can you stay over there,
please, sir?
>> Can you stay over there, please? Sir,
>> can you tell me why I'm getting
arrested, please?
>> So, right now, you're getting arrested
for three counts of endangerment.
>> For what?
>> For the state of the living conditions
of
>> I already
told I could clean it up.
I don't want to be.
>> Just wait right here.
>> Do you have anything on you? Let's put
that. I need to know before I begin.
>> I'm also on my period just to let you
know.
>> Is any of my family taking my kids? ASB
is going to shake your kids and it's
their decision from there.
>> I didn't
My kids, bro. Bro, my kids, bro. Angel.
Bro, there's nothing on my porch.
[snorts] They don't have a search
warrant. They're getting I'm suing them,
bro. Big bet. They're getting sued.
>> You doing okay?
>> Yeah. Is there any way I can talk to my
dad, please?
>> All right, I'll check. And is there any
way I can get my phone numbers out of my
phone so that way I have them when I get
there so I can call my family?
>> Uh, I will check and we'll come back and
talk to you in just a minute. Okay.
>> All right. My god. Bro, I'm getting
irritated, bro.
>> You still doing okay?
>> Yeah. Can I talk to my sister or
somebody?
>> Not right now.
>> Oh my god. Freaking getting irritated.
>> Britney was arrested on the spot. Tears
streamed down her face as she shouted,
insisting she was innocent. Officers
held firm, explaining she was facing
multiple counts of child inment. The
home was deemed too dangerous for the
children to remain. In that moment, it
became terrifyingly clear the fate of
her kids was no longer in her hands.
>> Can you tell me who called?
>> I don't know. It came in as anonymous.
>> Probably their dad.
>> Honestly, dear, it doesn't really matter
with the way that house looks.
>> I know. I already had talked to CSB and
they me and CSB already talked and she
said she was coming back out sometime
this week and I was trying to wash
clothes and their blankets and stuff.
That's why I wasn't home tonight because
they needed blankets and clothes and
stuff like that and that's what I went
to do. And then all of a sudden all this
started.
>> So the copious amounts of trash and the
amounts of not just animal
that's all over the house.
>> There's not human all over the house.
So, I don't have vision and I didn't see
all the poop all over coming out of
diapers that are just thrown in the
corner of the house.
>> No,
>> Britney, I walked it. I mean, you don't
have to talk to me. That's fine. But
>> No, I am talking to you guys. I I don't
understand. Like,
>> I don't understand what you don't
understand.
>> There's not diapers everywhere.
>> Britney, I walked through the house. I
saw it all with my own two eyes.
>> So, are you calling me a liar?
>> Do you guys have a search warrant to be
in my house?
>> Uh, the girl that lives here with you.
>> Who? Kylie. Yep. She's the one that
called in.
>> No, she let us in the house.
>> Okay. Well, you guys don't have a
search.
>> I don't need a search. The one that lets
us in the house lives here.
>> Not in charge of my house.
>> Doesn't matter. She lives here. She can
let us in.
>> She doesn't live here.
>> Okay. Well, but she'll be getting out of
my house, too.
>> Okay. Well, that's fine. Can I talk to
Kylie, please?
>> Nope. You dumb, bro.
>> From the back of the patrol car, Britney
continued to scream, demanding answers
and insisting she hadn't seen the
obvious mess inside the house. Even when
confronted with the evidence by the
officer, she continued to act foolishly,
denying everything placed in front of
her.
>> Kai Kai, I love you. Can I talk to my
brother Blake right there?
>> Uh, no. They're in the middle of trying
to put your children into the car.
>> Bro, I'm a freak out, bro. [music]
I'm standing around [ __ ] but you
don't want to let nobody [ __ ] to
theiring family.
>> Call, bro.
>> I love y'all. Okay. Is there any way
that somebody can get phone numbers? I
literally have no phone number.
>> Do you have one number on us or
>> No, I need my sister in there.
>> I'll ask. All right.
>> Was able to get any numbers for me.
>> They were
not want to give any
>> of course.
>> In the end, Britney Weaver was charged
with six counts [music] of and the
children were immediately placed under
the care of proper authorities. Their
safety was no longer in the hands of
their mother. Up next, officers
encountered a disturbing scene. What
should have been a safe home had become
a minefield of mistreatment and elicit
danger.
>> Why do you leave?
>> Because I have a whole lot of [music] in
this house around kids. Um there is
the center room. A big old heaping pile
of burnt tin foil.
>> She knows the defense
putting this kid in this situation, but
they also didn't have a home. On July
22nd, 2023, deputies were dispatched to
a residence following reports that four
young children were inside a home where
illicit substances were present. The
house felt tense as they approached and
officers could sense this check might
uncover more than expected.
>> Are you staying here?
>> Uh, every now and every now and then.
What's your name?
>> Harvey.
>> Harvey. Good to meet you, Harvey.
>> We're with the BCSO. Um, detective shot.
Um, do you know if anybody's in this
house right now?
>> Yeah.
>> Who's in the house right now?
>> Charlotte. China.
>> What about any children?
>> Yeah.
>> How many kids are inside? There's
>> uh four.
>> Four children. Can I get your name real
quick, dude? Uh
>> Ronald.
>> Ronald. You know the children's names?
>> Uh not by heart. Not
>> by heart.
>> I just call kids.
>> Okay. In the mom's home, though, for
sure.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Sweet, man.
>> We just need to talk to them real quick,
man. So, do you want to
>> Sure. I'll
>> Hello. Sheriff's office to talk to
>> There's the dad.
>> Hey, how's it going, man? How's it
going?
>> Good. Luke, nice to meet you. So, is
Shila here?
>> Yeah. She's getting dressed.
>> Okay. We'll just stay right here.
>> Okay.
>> So, where's she at?
>> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. Yeah, you can go.
>> Are the kids over here?
>> No, they're playing.
>> Oh, they're playing. Okay. So, no one's
in any trouble with me right now.
>> Especially you.
We're doing a welfare check.
>> Yeah. Didn't you guys do it yesterday?
>> Who is that?
>> You guys came yesterday.
>> Oh, okay.
>> I'm here.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah. We're going to go swim right now.
>> Charlotte, you in there?
>> Jang, sir.
>> Hi.
>> Hey, come outside. I need to talk to
you.
>> Who's that?
>> Sharers permit.
>> Okay, I'm getting dressed. I'll be right
there.
>> Okay. Hey, Charlotte.
>> Hi.
>> How's it going?
>> Hi. How are you?
>> Good. Good. Do you have a shirt?
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> I was getting I finish getting ready.
Put a shirt on real quick.
>> Are the kids in there?
>> No.
>> Okay. Hey, Charlotte. Just put a shirt
on. Let's go.
>> Yeah.
>> It's just a simple shirt.
>> I was just going to put some pants on
and stuff.
>> Is Hans here now? Okay, let's step
outside over here.
>> Okay, I need to make sure the kids
aren't in there.
>> Yeah, you turn around. We're just going
to have you go outside.
>> Do you have anything on you perhaps?
Like,
>> what's going on? No,
>> what's going on, though? Babe, what's
going on?
>> Babe,
>> what's going on?
>> Hey, just stay over there, sir, and then
just go and step out inside the garage
for us, okay, sir. Okay.
>> As deputies approached, the residents
reflected the chaos the call had warned
about. Officers took in the scene
[music] knowing children were inside and
that the situation could quickly
escalate. Tension hung in the air,
hinting that the mother's involvement
would soon turn this routine check into
something far more serious. Hello,
Sheriff's Office.
>> How you doing?
>> Hey, how's it going, sir?
>> How you doing?
>> Who else is in this house?
>> There's a lot of people here. How's it
going, man?
>> Hi.
>> Who are you?
>> Travis.
>> Hi, Travis. You're not in trouble. My
name is Detective Handler. We're just
here to do a welfare check on you guys.
Are your siblings here?
>> Yes, they're in the back. Okay. And then
who who are you?
>> I'm a friend.
>> You're a friend. Okay. Are the other
kids coming out?
>> Yes. My other brother is washing them
up.
>> Okay. Hello. Sheriff's office. Who are
you guys?
>> The owner of the house.
>> You're the owner of the house. Okay.
Well, I need everyone to come out cuz
we're doing a welfare check and this is
getting a little out of hand. So, come
out here, please.
>> The shower.
>> Okay.
>> J's mom or
>> Yeah. Let's go get out.
>> Um
>> Who is he? That's your brother.
>> No, no, no. They're just they're shower.
They're they're brothers.
>> I was just helping them.
>> They're my shower.
>> They're my brothers.
>> Are they okay?
>> Yeah, they're just showering.
>> Can we get have them come out, please?
>> They're all Can I get a towel like
closer?
>> Yeah, get them some towels.
>> How old are they?
>> They're five and then
>> you guys. Okay, you guys.
>> Okay, let's come out, guys.
>> Hello. Who else is back here?
>> You rent from them? Yeah, we're we're
not just a part like of the kids and
everything.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> I'll need you guys to come out here for
now. Okay.
>> Okay. Thanks. And then if you guys have
IDs, bring them out, too. Okay. Do you
guys have any kids back here?
>> Cuz I'm missing a kid.
>> Um, no, we don't have a kid back here.
>> Okay, let's go outside, guys. You're
good, man. We just need to identify
everyone to see who's here in the house.
Okay, let's go, man. I'm not going to be
looking through your stuff, dude. As
long as the kids don't have access to
it, I
>> Let's just go. And who stays in this
room? Anybody?
Anyone in here?
>> Hey, I need you guys to come out. I'm
gonna seize the house for a search
warrant. Let's go. I need you to step
out of the house, please. Okay.
>> In a lot of pain.
>> Okay. Do you need an ambulance? No.
>> Excuse me. Why do you need
>> Because I have a whole lot of in this
house around kids, so
>> let's go. Ma'am, I'm not answering
questions right now. I need you guys to
come out of the house. Is there any
other people back there? Mm-m. Okay,
you're good.
>> I have no problem, little brother. I
just had to make sure that
>> Let's have him hurry up. Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> So, as soon as we identify him, we'll
have everyone step out. But this should
be everyone right now.
>> So,
just stay here with her.
>> Inside, chaos dominated every corner.
Adults moved freely between rooms while
the children wandered, unsure where to
be or what to do. Even something as
simple as bathing became difficult under
the disorder. Deputies acted quickly,
identifying everyone and securing the
children's immediate safety. Every
second counted as officers made sure no
one was overlooked. What seemed
straightforward at first revealed layers
of danger and mismanagement.
>> So, you just said the tin foil is just
in the trash can in the room.
>> Um, do you know if Francisco doesn't
have
>> Was he in the record though?
>> There's a lot of people in there right
now. There's about I think about 12
people inside right now.
>> Yeah. So, I'm going to start CFD out.
Um, there's
the center room. It's a big old heaping
pile of burnt tin foil. That's the only
I saw.
>> No, one of the bedrooms. As soon as you
look at down the hallway, it's that
first bedroom right as you enter.
There's a one twiniz bed and there's a
dresser right next to it. And on the
dresser, just a heaping pile of burnt
tint foil. As soon as we identify
everyone, run everyone, make sure no one
else, probably start kicking people.
>> It's mostly mom and dad. Yeah.
>> Hey, what are you what are you thinking?
>> So, I'm going to call the DA's and see
if I can do a search warrant photos and
narcotics.
>> I think so.
>> Um, he said auto test. I probably should
get auto
>> that. And then, um, who was here?
>> Captain said,
>> Barco was assigned his family or
something like that. He wants to come
out here and do interviews and stuff.
>> Okay, I'll call his sergeant or his
sergeant and hopefully
>> they said just to call. I just talked to
Nico about
you. But he said just to call Barco
directly
>> cuz they already coordinated that.
>> Okay.
>> Do you want to 16 the people with uh the
other ones?
>> Yeah. 16 everybody. I agree with you.
Okay.
>> Did you see the people?
>> So mom says
parents she knows the house putting this
kid in this situation but they also
didn't have a home. Now the people who
are responsible to person
in this room no one can stay in that
house are still
responsible for the child people using
>> or the mom is trying to do what she can.
The way I the way I look at it is both.
Anyone that that knows the children were
here, the doors were unlocked, the kids
are out of an age that they have can
open doors have access to it and that
the parent has immediate access as soon
as you walk in the room. I think that
con
>> um that's the bathroom.
>> Oh, the middle room. [music] Um the kids
were in the shower. Actually, this is a
weird part. So when you're 16,
>> the kids were in the back and as soon as
I came back here, the kids were no
longer in the back. They I think dad
rushed them inside to take a shower
>> cuz they were all in the bath just like
After speaking briefly with Charlotte,
deputies regrouped to assess the scene.
While investigating the residence, they
found charred tin foil scattered across
the center room and on a dresser in one
of the bedrooms. A stark reminder of the
risks inside. Careful plans were made,
contact family services, address
outstanding warrants, and ensure no
unsafe conditions were left unchecked.
>> Temple. So when he was back here, when
these two girls were back here, I told
them like leave and they wouldn't leave.
And they kept on shoving stuff in that
in that whole dresser right there and in
the bag. And then this yellow container
right here.
>> Oh yeah. Oh, there's a pillow right down
there.
>> Yeah, but they're the ones that have
warrants, I think.
>> Oh, okay. So, we know they were staying
in this room.
>> And I saw them both in here, too. And
then we still have that front bedroom
that mom and dad were staying in.
>> Yeah. So that was locked.
>> I left it open. So it must have been the
the
So we're going to have to
>> Or we can ask for consent from that guy.
Say, "Hey,
>> they're doing a search war anyway if it
gets approved."
>> Okay, let's go.
>> We just want to make sure no one's in
there, though.
>> The dad locked it in.
>> They must have come back here and locked
it. I think there's a way to get through
here through the house, isn't there? Uh,
yeah. Same way.
>> Were this connected to the house at all?
>> Uh, no. Technically, yes.
>> Officers methodically searched the home,
checking each room, container, and
dresser, and documenting who had been
staying where. Even the front bedroom
previously occupied by the parents was
thoroughly inspected. The tension
remained high. Every detail adding to
the urgency of the situation. Some areas
still hid secrets. I talk away from the
kids. Well,
>> there grandma's outside. She can take
outside.
So, we're going to seize the house for a
search warrant, right? So, we can't say
we're going to get a search warrant.
We're just saying um we just want to
make sure no one's in that back bedroom.
>> Yeah. No, we we're just changing in
there.
>> Would you mind would you mind letting us
just see just so we can make sure the
house is safe?
>> Yeah, but I don't
>> You don't have the key?
>> No.
>> Oh, who would have a key to that back
bedroom? Loosen up and you can you can
go through the roof, too. Well,
>> I don't want to go through the roof,
man.
>> Yeah, there's nobody in there. Watch.
Come on.
Yeah. So, like, don't worry about it,
dude. Um, I don't want you grabbing
anything.
>> No, no, no. You're good. You're good.
You're good. You're good. You're good.
I'm just going to show you. You're good.
You're good. You're good.
>> There's nobody in there. You can look
through the roof. I promise there's
nobody in there. I don't even know how
it lock.
>> So, you don't have a key?
>> No.
>> So, okay. Who would have a key, man?
>> Um, I don't know.
>> Okay. So, just listen, Franc. I just
want to be super clear with this. So,
should we be granted a search warrant?
>> Go ahead.
>> No, just listen. Just listen. We're
gonna have to gain access to that.
Should we be granted?
>> No, we can open it.
>> So, I'm just saying I'd rather just have
a key than besides because I don't want
to damage anything.
>> Kick it in. I don't I don't mind. I'm
tell I'm telling you there's nobody in
there. You can look.
>> You can see there's nobody in there.
>> Okay.
>> I promise you you can
There's nobody. I don't even know how it
locked.
>> All right.
>> I promise you there's nobody in there.
But you guys can kick it in. It's not
mine. Not where like we stay inside the
house. We're just
>> You're just changing. Yeah.
>> Okay. Who normally stays in there?
>> Just it's a room for everybody to use.
>> Cuz I stay in the room with my kids over
there. There's nobody in there. You guys
can We need a search. Go ahead.
>> Cool. Okay. So, who stays in what room?
>> We have to start identifying people. We
have to start coordinating.
>> Uh we we just barely got here. So, we
don't have like a room. We're just he
allowed us
to guest. I hardly ever see anybody. I
come in to work. He just allowed us a
friend of mine interview. He said, "My
buddy, your buddy Lee told us told us
that uh you guys are staying in your
car." I said, "Yeah, it sucks." He said,
"If I told him I do tile work, I did the
tile work in his bathroom and he allowed
us to stay here to stay off the street."
>> So, we'll walk you back to the living
room. It's going this way.
>> Yeah. So, if you guys No, but honestly,
if you guys need to kick in the door,
>> that's fine. Francisco, let's go this
way, man.
>> If you guys need to kick in the door, do
it
or whatever you need to do. Francisco,
just hang out here in the shade for now.
Okay, I'm going to have everyone step
outside now. Hey, so if you guys can
come outside and then we're going to
have you wait in the front yard real
quick and you guys are going to stay
right here with me.
>> Okay,
>> they're staying with me. They can stay
inside. I don't want them outside if
it's too hot.
>> Attention then shifted to Francisco and
a locked back bedroom. Deputies needed
to confirm no one was inside. Francisco
claimed he had no key and insisted the
room was empty. Yet, deputies pressed
for certainty. Adults were guided
outside to maintain order as officers
prepared for the next steps. Uncertainty
lingered and every moment carried
weight. The safety of the children hung
in the balance. A decisive move was
coming that would change everything.
>> Doing okay, ma'am?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, they can I tell you what's
going on?
>> No.
>> Okay. So, I guess grandma's here.
>> Okay.
>> So, is it okay if the kids go with her?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, that's where we're going to
plan. So, we still have to bring out
CFD. Um and then is that Francisco, your
husband?
>> Is he the kid's biological dad? Yes.
>> Okay, sounds good. Sir, um we're we got
approval to do a search warrant. We're
working on that now. See called out.
grandma of the maternal grandma came
out. She said she can't take the kids
cuz she works. So, we'll probably just
end up forating based off of every the
condition of the house and all the 57.
So,
>> no, we'll be here. We'll be here for a
little bit.
>> Can we go grab some water?
>> No, not right now. But give us some time
and we can get you guys some water.
Okay.
>> You still doing okay, sir? You need
medical attention?
>> Yeah, I'm good. I'm going to talk to the
kids real quick. Are you guys doing
okay? Yeah, we're good.
>> Okay. Do you guys have questions?
>> I don't really.
>> What's your question?
>> Where am I?
>> He's asking where she's at.
>> Oh, he's just outside. He's talking to
us.
>> Yeah.
>> No, we don't question.
>> Okay.
>> I want grapes now.
>> You want grapes?
>> Do you guys have grapes?
>> No.
>> Did you guys eat lunch?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Once the field unit started going
108, just helping us secure the house
cuz there's a couple people inside. But
right now, we should be fine. We're just
waiting on CYP. We've arrested mom Brock
has her in the back of there. And then
we have at this point I was thinking it
was like 10 to 12 people. I think it's
more like eight people, eight adults
inside. Um just random people. They're
all sitting in the front yard.
>> You guys already have everybody IDed and
all that.
>> Mhm.
>> Cool. We'll go walk around.
>> See the house and see what we saw.
>> Deputies moved decisively, calling in
child services and securing the home
under a search warrant. Adults were kept
in place. Officers checked on everyone
and the children's questions were
answered as the scene was stabilized.
The evidence inside confirmed the
severity of the situation. In the end,
Charlotte was arrested and charged with
four counts of reckless end, bringing a
tense [music] and dangerous situation to
a decisive close.